Leeds United Kicks Off The Club’s Centenary Season

After many weeks with heavy hearts for all those connected with Leeds United, the club finally kicked-off its centenary season on Sunday 4 August.

All signs of the play-off heartbreak in May were banished as they swept aside Lee Johnson’s Bristol City 3-1.  The game was played in the typical fashion of a Marcelo Bielsa team, but if anything with even more of a point to prove. And they did – at the expense of Johnson’s top six hopefuls.

Patrick Bamford answered his critics by chasing every ball possible and bagging a near-post header. That came after the talisman Pablo Hernandez had fired Leeds ahead with a sweet, top corner shot from the edge of Bristol’s box.  Leeds added a third when Jack Harrison tapped in, with Bristol desperately trying to block Mateusz Klich’s goal-bound effort.  

One of the stand-out players keeping the hosts at bay was debutant Ben White. At the time of his arrival, you could hear “Ben who?” from some quarters. But the same noise could be heard when we signed Pontus Jansson and, for those old enough to remember, the same was said about the Ghanaian goal-machine Anthony Yeboah. It’s always best reserving judgement.  

Two other players who are crucial to Leeds winning shone in Bristol.  Kalvin Phillips displayed the maturity of a man the age of Pablo Hernandez. And Hernandez looked to have the fitness of a man Phillips’ age. It’s rare Leeds don’t get points on the board when these two are on top form.  

Since we last went to press, goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell departed Leeds for Premier League Burnley. I expected him to stay but, as discussed last time out, the Whites have a lot of depth at that spot.  The clamour for new signings in any transfer window at every club never ends, and Leeds United fans are as demanding as any. But this season has seen a large reduction in the spending of the 72 Football League clubs compared with last year.  Leeds United and Bielsa trimmed the squad, with many fringe players leaving alongside first-team regular Kemar Roofe to Anderlecht, managed by the former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.  As with Jansson, Roofe’s replacement was a loanee – this time Eddie Nketiah, who signed from Arsenal for the season.  

A home game with old rivals Nottingham Forest brought another bumper crowd into Elland Road and they saw Leeds dominate possession of the ball, corners and shots at goal. Despite bossing the stats significantly, it took until the second half before Hernandez cooly fired them in front from distance after an assist by Mateusz Klich.  Forest’s Lewis Grabban grabbed a lucky equaliser with 13 minutes of play left, but the game had plenty of positives. Left back Barry Douglas got another full game under his belt after an injury-hit first season in West Yorkshire and Stuart Dallas had another assured game, displaying his versatility to slot into the team as and when needed by Bielsa.  

A potential cup upset at Salford City was next on the schedule. But those desiring a cup upset would be upset themselves as Leeds came back over the Pennines with a 3-0 success and a tie at Elland Road against Stoke City as the reward.  Salford managed to test Casilla with more shots on target than either Championship side had managed, but he kept the hosts at bay. Ben White continued to look assured and mature in defence, and fellow youngsters Jack Clarke, Jamie Shackleton, Alfie McCalmont and Leif Davis all gained more first team experience.  

Nketiah got Leeds up and running with a smartly taken goal on his debut, converting a perfect cross from Helder Costa. Then captain for the night Gaetano Berardi got in on the goalscoring act with a rare strike, to the delight of the travelling fans.  Klich sealed the win with the kind of edge-of-the-box, curling shot we’ve come to expect from the Polish international.  

So – unbeaten after 3 games that all posed different threats, a debut goal for Nketiah and Costa showing the skills that saw him help Wolves out of the Championship – the season has started well.  

Leeds’ business in the summer seems as astute as the capture and then retention of Bielsa. And, if needed, the Club has money in the bank come the January transfer window. With more talent also breaking through from the Club’s highly-rated youth academy, Leeds look well set for another promotion bid.

Photograph by Ben Scott.

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