Sam Allardyce’s return to top-flight administration couldn’t get a lot more durable, as he arrives at a Leeds facet who’re in disarray.
The 68-year-old has been out of labor since failing to beat the drop as West Brom boss in 2021, although Leeds have seemed to his earlier physique of labor which helped Crystal Palace, Blackburn and Sunderland keep away from relegation.
Leeds are protected as issues stand, however solely simply, with solely purpose distinction retaining them above 18th place Nottingham Forest.
Allardyce begins life with a daunting journey to title-chasing Manchester Metropolis, earlier than tough matches towards Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham to conclude the season.
Mail Sport takes a have a look at what Allardyce must do to assist preserve Leeds within the top-flight for a fourth consecutive season.
Sam Allardyce has given himself an enormous problem by taking up the supervisor position at Leeds
Allardyce has been given simply 4 video games to assist preserve Leeds within the Premier League
PLUG THE LEAKS
Leeds have conceded 67 targets this season which is greater than every other top-flight facet.
In April, they misplaced 5 out of their seven video games whereas conceding 23 targets – breaking the undesirable document for many targets conceded in a month throughout Premier League historical past.
Earlier than his spell at West Brom, Allardyce had constructed a status for enhancing the defences of sides struggling within the decrease half of the desk.
He should tighten up Leeds’ defence – however his first two video games are towards free-scoring Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle.
These video games are adopted by a visit to West Ham and a house conflict with Spurs, that means that Allardyce may have accomplished a vastly spectacular job if he is ready to preserve them up within the top-flight and plug their holes on the again.
Leeds broke the document for many targets conceded in a month in Premier League historical past in April
CLOSE OUT GAMES
His new facet have dropped an enormous 20 factors from successful positions to this point this season.
Solely Leicester Metropolis – one place above Leeds within the desk – have dropped extra.
The west Yorkshire facet could be forward of the Foxes and two factors away from the relegation zone, if that they had held onto their one-goal benefit final week, earlier than Jamie Vardy struck an eightieth minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
With solely 4 video games left to play this season, they can not afford any extra slip-ups from successful positions if they’re to take care of their Premier League standing.
Leeds have dropped 20 factors from successful positions, with Jamie Vardy’s equaliser at Elland Highway final week costing the Whites what may have confirmed to be a really useful two factors
CURE TRAVEL SICKNESS
Leeds’ document on the street is abysmal, successful simply 9 factors out of a potential 51.
The truth is, solely Nottingham Forest have taken much less factors on the street than Leeds with simply six.
They’ve simply two extra away video games to play this season, towards Manchester Metropolis and West Ham.
Allardyce realistically could be joyful to take any factors away from the Etihad on Saturday, however a win on the London Stadium on Could 21 could possibly be the distinction between staying up or relegation.
Leeds have an abysmal away document and Allardyce’s first recreation is on the Etihad towards title-chasing Manchester Metropolis
GET GNONTO ON THE PITCH
One of many greatest surprises below the tenure of Javi Gracia was Wilfried Gnonto being overlooked of the beginning XI.
The proficient Italian hardly featured below Gracia and on a podcast final week, Allardyce questioned why the winger was not enjoying extra.
Since his debut in October, no Leeds participant has supplied extra assists than the 19-year-old (4).
Allardyce’s bemusement over the Italian not enjoying for the Whites would supply a transparent indication that he has higher plans to make use of him within the closing weeks of the season.
Gnonto has shortly endeared himself to the membership’s fanbase and his vitality and work-rate could possibly be an enormous enhance for Leeds of their closing 4 matches.
Wilfried Gnonto (proper) had struggled for recreation time below earlier Leeds boss Javi Gracia
GET BAMFORD FIRING
Although Patrick Bamford discovered the again of the web in Leeds’ 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, it has been an underwhelming season for the striker.
He has netted simply 4 occasions in 25 Premier League appearances – properly down on his numbers from the 2020-21 season the place he discovered the again of the web on 17 events within the top-flight.
Bamford missed nearly all of final season with a hamstring damage adopted by one other one to his foot, and he has not hit the identical requirements since.
Allardyce has backed Bamford to be a key participant for the Whites through the closing few weeks of the season.
If the brand new Leeds boss can unlock the potential out of Bamford when he performs at his finest, they are going to stand a a lot better probability of getting the factors they should survive.
Patrick Bamford has solely scored 4 Premier League targets this season, however Allardyce singled out the striker as somebody who could possibly be a key participant within the closing weeks of the marketing campaign