London calling, and Leeds need to avoid more capital punishment
Leeds find themselves in the middle of a sticky run of results and with panic creeping in to the psych of fans and seemingly players alike at Elland Road last weekend, they will wish they were anywhere but West London on Saturday lunchtime.
It was at Loftus Road (or the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium if you insist) where Leeds last tasted victory in the capital over two years ago when a Kemar Roofe hat-trick earnt United the spoils in a 3-1 win in December 2017. In nine visits since all that has been achieved is a solitary point at Millwall of all places, with six league defeats and two exits from the FA Cup.
Leeds were cruising towards a record breaking 8th league win a row when 3-0 up to Cardiff City at Elland Road a month ago with just half an hour left on the clock but a strange implosion saw them surrender that lead and with it, two points and on reflection all of the team's momentum. The Whites would of been 12 points clear of 3rd place had they held on but instead a month on, only one win is sandwiched in-between 3 defeats and 2 draws since and the gap is now down to 6 points.
The atmosphere at Elland Road after Sheffield Wednesday struck twice to defeat a lacklustre and out of character United was evident of a fan base and club that has started to feel anxious about whether their side will get the job done once and for all in the coming months. Too many similarities from last season have started to appear with the lack of consistency arriving after a 7 game winning run like last year. The need to strengthen a small squad and the business not being done early.. like last year. And the chasing pack finding the perfect time to hit form after Christmas.. like last year.
New arrivals should come this week in the form of young Manchester City winger Ian Poveda and 18 year old goalkeeper Elia Caprile who will be an understudy to Casilla and Meslier. But it is in attack where Leeds have played their last two fixtures with only one recognised striker in Patrick Bamford, and should he pick up an injury it is difficult to see where the goals will come from in an already wasteful team in terms of chance conversion.
Their are numerous options available to loan in attack but it is Southampton striker Che Adams who the club and Bielsa are prioritsing. It would be a fantastic and proven addition considering he has scored goals at this level with Birmingham City but it could be a complicated and drawn out transfer with Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl not wanting to let go of his player. After the Dan James debacle on deadline day last year it is easy to see why there is an anxiety to get it done early or move on to another target swiftly.
Leeds are still in a fantastic position, 6 points clear and the overall performances not too bad but now really is the time where the defence of pre-Christmas needs a comeback and the ruthlessness in the team's play to return.
QPR away is a winnable game on paper despite their 11 goals in their last two home outings against Welsh duo Cardiff and Swansea. But form goes out of the window when Leeds arrive in London as last years' visit showed when a QPR team who had lost their last 7 took the points in Leeds' crucial game in hand which left a crestfallen Marcelo Bielsa on his knees outside of the dressing rooms last February.
All runs have to end at some point and Leeds could really do with their London hoodoo being exorcised on Saturday and a fresh run of good form to set them on their way for the season's run in and several thousand nerves settled.
By Lawrence O'Sullivan