The month of September has been another tough one for Leeds United as they have managed just two points from their three matches.
A two-week international break followed the final match in August but the Whites were unable to return to action with a win. The visit of Liverpool was always going to be a hard game and that is exactly what it proved to be as the Reds won 3-0 at Elland Road.
However, the match was rather overshadowed by the horrendous injury suffered by youngster Harvey Elliott and the baffling red card that Pascal Struijk received as a result of it. There were no real standout performers for Leeds on the day although Illan Meslier and Kalvin Phillips were both given a 7/10 in the player ratings.
A trip to St James’ Park followed with many Whites fans expecting to see Marcelo Bielsa’s side get their first win of the season, but it wasn’t to be. An early opener from Raphinha was soon cancelled out by a brilliant solo effort from Allan Saint-Maximin who caused real problems for the Leeds defence throughout the match.
Meslier once again received a seven in the player ratings and he was joined by the goalscorer as well as Rodrigo on that mark with the majority of the team being awarded fives and sixes.
The final match in September was the most frustrating for Leeds fans who will have watched a very good performance that ultimately provided nothing in terms of points. Amid the shortage of defensive options, Charlie Cresswell was brilliant on his Premier League debut and was given 8/10 in the player ratings for the clash with West Ham.
Jamie Shackleton, Meslier and Raphinha were all given eights by Leeds Live writer Beren Cross while there were strong scores for plenty of the other players as well. The performances of Phillips, Liam Cooper, Mateusz Klich, Stuart Dallas and Rodrigo all warranted 7/10 ratings but the Whites’ search for a win continued.
You can vote for who you think was Leeds’ player of the month below.
The options you can choose from are Meslier, Phillips, Raphinha and Klich, the standout performers for Bielsa’s side in a disappointing run of three games.
Meanwhile, there is a real chance for October to be a great month for Leeds with four attractive fixtures on the horizon. They will be confident of getting their maiden win in the first game of the month as Watford make the trip to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Another international break will take up two weeks after that fixture but then it is back to Premier League business with a trip to face Southampton. That is succeeded by clashes with Wolves and Norwich either side of the Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal at the Emirates.
It is imperative that Leeds make the most of the October schedule as it gets much harder for them during November and December. If the slow start continues over the next four weeks then Bielsa and his players may have an uphill task on their hands to stay in the top flight.
