The numbers have been crunched that show how results differ with and without certain players available, and they show Leeds United are currently missing two of their most vital individuals.
Of every player to have played more than 500 minutes in the Championship this season, no one has a better goal difference from their time on the pitch than Pablo Hernandez.
With the Spaniard on the pitch, Leeds have scored 27 goals and conceded just seven, three of which were in Cardiff City’s remarkable second-half comeback in last month’s 3-3 draw at Elland Road.
His recent hamstring injury has coincided with the dip in defensive form, conceding eight goals in four games over the Christmas period, although they managed to score five without him in the unforgettable 5-4 victory over Birmingham City.
The stats have been compiled by Twitter account @EFLNumbers.
Top 20 @SkyBetChamp players this season ranked by the team's goal difference whilst they have been playing. Players are ranked by GD per 90 mins and must have played a min of 500 mins.
— EFL Numbers (@eflnumbers) January 3, 2020
The table is topped by #LUFC 's Pablo Hernandez. #ReadingFC #WBA #NFFC #Brentford #FFC #HCAFC pic.twitter.com/qnAmCvqKde
They also show four other Leeds players in the top 20. Adam Forshaw featured prominently in the early weeks of the season as United just conceded three goals while he was on the pitch, scoring 10.
The figures also show Gaetano Berardi has been a reliable deputy when stepping in for Liam Cooper this season. He’s 12th in the list, conceding just eight times during his 14 appearances.
Patrick Bamford, who has started all but two league games so far this season, and Mateusz Klich, who maintains his record of starting every Championship match under Marcelo Bielsa, are seventh and 15th in the list respectively.
Other players of note include West Bromwich Albion’s Grady Diangana (fourth) who’s recent spell on the sidelines has coincided with their slight dip in results and Brentford trio Said Benrahma, Josh Da Silva and Bryan Mbuemo (eighth, ninth, 10th).
Reading’s Charlie Adam has only just hit the 500 minutes threshold this season, but his time on the pitch largely tallies with a good goal difference for the Royals. He’s second on the list behind Hernandez.
