A lot of Leeds United fans have identified their lack of converting chances as the main difference from this season to last season.
A study conducted by LUFCDATA shows that the Whites are outperforming last year’s side in every single department apart from goals scored and conversion rate.
The stats show that Leeds had banged in 25 goals this time last year but have only managed 17 this year.
In terms of conversion rate as well, the Whites sat at a mighty 42% from the shots they had that were on target, but this season, it has decreased to 29%, and many Leeds fans are unhappy with those two stats.
Leeds after 14 games in 18/19 v 19/20:
Points: 26-25
Wins: 7-7
Possession: 62%-65%
Chances created: 160-171
Goals 25-17
xG: 18.2-27.6
Conversion rate (on-target): 42%-29%
Shots: 209-229
On-target: 65-68
Conceded: 11-8
Succ. passes: 5372-5742
Pass acc: 78%-80%— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) October 28, 2019
Clear as can be. It’s conversion conversion conversion. Roofe was killing it this time last year. Eddie gotta be as good as Roofe I think
— David Gordon (@DavidGo10528095) October 29, 2019
This is sad news, as we all know what happened last season, so unless we improve we are destined to be stuck in the EFL Championship for 2020/21
?????
— Dumpfor (@Dumpforsp) October 30, 2019
Better at everything but actually scoring goals. Fix that and we walk this league.
— Charlsella Bielsenberg ?? (@charlieros1e) October 29, 2019
So many similarities to last season- so without the goals will we fall at the final hurdle again ???
— Nizzy (@nizzyt1) October 29, 2019
Wow
— Chris Bennett (@CJBennett79) October 29, 2019
Our shooting accuracy is abysmal
— James Pearson (@JamesPearson25) October 29, 2019
What do we think?
A quick look through the data shows that this season, Leeds have created more chances, 171 compared to 160, and have a much higher Expected Goals – 27.6 as opposed to 18.2.
In defence, the move to replace Pontus Jansson with Ben White has proved to be a masterstroke as Marcelo Bielsa’s men have only conceded eight goals this season.
These are all encouraging signs and suggest that as soon as Leeds sort out their goalscoring problems, they will be fine.
Patrick Bamford has received a lot of stick, but other players in the squad need to step up and take their chances.
The two wingers Jack Harrison and Helder Costa, have two goals between them, and that is not good enough.
All of the underlying stats suggest that Leeds stand a good chance of getting promoted, but they need to find a way of converting their shots on target into more goals.