TACTICAL ANALYSIS

LEEDS 4 - 0 BIRMINGHAM ELLAND RD, 20.10.2013

Leeds conceded 14 shots on goal, 2 fewer than in their last match, a 3-1 loss at Derby County

Key:

Courtesy of the fantastic statistics from www.whoscored.com, we take a closer look at the numbers behind the performances of Leeds United this season.
Brian McDermott's side adopted a 3-5-2 formation in a bid to develop more width and change Leeds' lack of goals this season. The change certainly paid off, with the Whites running out comfortable winners in a 4-0 victory, 3 of which were scored in the opening 45 minutes. The creativity of Alex Mowatt, Ross McCormack and Rodolph Austin, combined with the swathes of attacking moves down the right flank (49% of them) aided by Sam Byram, proved too much for Lee Clark's side. Leeds simply overpowered their opponents, and played at a faster tempo, pressing high up the field when out of possession and stealing the ball from their opponents. Full-backs Stephen Warnock and Sam Byram were fully utilised in supporting attacks and defending the wings. The combative midfield trio held their shape better, aided by Luke Murphy, who won more tackles than any Leeds player (5). Leeds' pass success percentage was lower than usual, down at 66% compared with their 75% average, but it mattered little. Mowatt (86%) and McCormack (85%) enjoyed the best pass success percentages of the afternoon and supplied the most crosses. Man of the match Rodolph Austin was instrumental, revelling in an advanced free role and impressing with an array of passes. The Leeds captain actually made the most successful long passes in the side (5) for an outfield player. Leeds chose to play the long ball more frequently (83), coinciding with the inclusion of Matt Smith, who managed to win an impressive 14 aerial duels and getting his name on the scoresheet twice.
Leeds made 367 passes, their 3rd-lowest tally of the season Pass Success: 66%

Leeds made a total of 83 long passes, the 2ndhighest amount of the season (86 at Ipswich)

Man of the match Goal Captain

Warnock Pearce

Leeds made 22 crosses, lower than their average of 25 per league match. Most: (6) McCormack

Kenny

Wooon

Mowa

Leeds only managed 49% possession against Birmingham, their lowest amount of the season

Lees Austin Murphy

C

24%
McCormack
Leeds managed 18 shots, the 2ndhighest amount of the season, 9 of which were ontarget

Byram

Smith

27%

Substitutes: Michael Brown replaced Rodolph Austin on 89 minutes which gave him little time to make any impact.
ACTION ZONES
STATISTICS SOURCED FROM:

Verdict: By no means the definitive solution yet, but the new system worked against Birmingham, but it was the collective performance and attacking mentality that impressed the most. A positive platform to build upon.

49%

31% 41% 28%

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