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Joe Mewis

Kalvin Phillips addresses Leeds United's two burning issues this season

Despite setting the early pace at the top of the Championship table, this season's Leeds United side are not yet firing on all cylinders.

Marcelo Bielsa's team have a return of 17 points from their opening eight fixtures as they sit ahead of of Swansea City on goal difference, but the feeling around Elland Road is that there should be clear distance between them and their promotion rivals.

Saturday's 1-1 draw to Derby County brought to the fore their two main issues.

Chris Martin netted an injury time equaliser in a match that Leeds dominated as two more points were dropped at home.

That made it seven points surrendered by Leeds in West Yorkshire so far this term, as their inefficiency in front of goal was again in focus.

Speaking to LeedsLive after the match, Kalvin Phillips addressed these two issues and insisted that no-one in the coaching or playing staff is worried yet.

Leeds remain top of the table (Alex Dodd/CameraSport)

" I don't think so," he said when asked how much of a problem Leeds' home form is. "I think for us the second goal is vital. If we're one-nil up we get a bit cagey towards the end. If we get that second goal which we didn't today unfortunately, but I think once we get the second goal there's no stopping us.

"With the fans behind us, they do exceptionally well. But the performance today from the team was a good performance."

Leeds again dominated possession against the Rams, keeping the ball for 63 per cent of the match and would have 13 shots on goal, with five on target.

All they had to show for this was a first-half Max Lowe own goal and Phillips believes that hard work, combined with better luck will see Leeds find the net with the regularity that their play deserves.

Leeds react to Derby's late, late equaliser (Alex Dodd/CameraSport)

"I think it's a bit of both," he continued. "I think we can work on it more but I think it comes down to luck.

"You've seen today Pat got in so many good positions, and he hit the post. With Klichy missing the penalty, I think we could have easily come away with a good three or four-nil win.

"I think it's a kind of luck really. Once we get those goals there'll be no stopping us."

Next up for Leeds is a trip to The Valley to face former Whites midfielder Lee Bowyer's Charlton Athletic side.

Visit our  dedicated Leeds United page  for the latest news, views and analysis from Elland Road.

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