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“Fewer Touches Than Illan Meslier, what a FLOP, his DISASTROUS Performance Costs Leeds at Elland Road”- Farke urged must brutally axe 3/10 Leeds star who won’t cut it in the PL
Leeds United dropped two crucial points in their pursuit of promotion from the Championship, drawing 1-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion.
Despite having numerous opportunities to secure a win, they failed to capitalize and appeared off the pace during a sunny Saturday lunchtime clash at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side took an early lead when Junior Firpo scored in the 9th minute.
The left-back met Daniel James’ cross at the near post, heading it into an open net after West Brom goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith rushed out but failed to make a play on the ball.
West Brom responded just before halftime when Darnell Furlong scored a header from a free-kick. The right-back found himself unmarked at the back post and equalized for Albion in the 39th minute.
In the second half, Leeds created several chances to claim all three points, but they couldn’t find a winner.
The draw extends Leeds’ unbeaten run to 17 matches, and they remain well-placed for the title, though it was a frustrating result on the day.
Leeds’ Standout Performers vs West Brom
Despite the draw, Leeds had some standout individual performances, particularly from their defenders. Joe Rodon was one of the standout players, making several crucial defensive interventions.
His efforts earned him an 8/10 rating from Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth, who praised his “late defensive heroics” in keeping Leeds level.
Another bright spot was Firpo, who not only scored but also contributed significantly to the attack and defense.
The former Barcelona man had 59 touches, created two chances, and made five clearances. His overall contribution was impressive, especially on the left flank.
Leeds Attacker Who Struggled
However, Leeds’ attacking players, particularly Brenden Aaronson, were less effective. The 24-year-old, playing as a No. 10, struggled to make an impact and failed to provide much creative influence.
Smyth was critical, giving Aaronson a 3/10 rating and stating that he was “too anonymous for almost all of his 72 minutes” and “didn’t have an impact” on the game.
The stats reflect this as well: Aaronson had just 29 touches—fewer than goalkeeper Illan Meslier—and his passing accuracy was only 73%. He lost possession nine times, highlighting his lack of involvement.
There may be growing concern among Leeds fans about Aaronson’s ability to make the jump to the Premier League.
While Leeds are still on course for promotion, Aaronson’s recent form could be an issue if they are to compete in the top flight.
He has only one goal involvement in his last 11 games and has yet to score or assist against any of the Championship’s top six this season.
As Leeds prepares for Premier League football next season, Aaronson will need to improve his consistency if the club is to have any hope of surviving in the top tier.
Performances like this one will likely have Farke pondering his long-term options for the squad.
