En analyse av Evans første uker:Sjekk lenken for fin grafikk.
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http://www.squawka.com/news/why-steve-evans-positive-influence-is-already-reaping-rewards-at-leeds/515723#pqtG4VJSCtcc2MZS.99Why Steve Evans’ positive influence is already reaping rewards at LeedsBy Chris Taylor
Posted on November 12, 2015
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http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4702115.jpg4702115
A month seems an eternity to a Leeds United head coach these days, but the present incumbent Steve Evans has taken it all in his stride and hit the ground running.
Under his three-week tenure, Leeds have picked up their first back-to-back victories since March following wins over Cardiff and Huddersfield and have ended their hoodoo of failing to win a home league fixture at Elland Road in almost eight months.
That makes Steve Evans’ start even more impressive, given the squad he inherited was utterly bereft of any confidence and luck since the departure of Uwe Rosler.
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Changing shape and intensity
The former Rotherham boss has already stamped his authority and laid out the basic framework of how he wants his team to set-up, preferring a traditional 4-4-2 system to the previous 4-3-3 shape.
Evans is far from everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to football managers, but his style of play requires nothing less than a 100% application from his players, adopting a high energy game with intensity both with and without the ball.
Following Rosler’s dismissal, Massimo Cellino said via the Mirror that he “wanted them to play heavy rock football but instead it was like country music.â€
Evans’ approach has certainly proved to be the far more entertaining and productive of the two so far.
Strengthening the back-line
Leeds have evidently worked hard on their defensive shape under Evans, tightening up at the back and shipping fewer goals under their Glasgow-born gaffer (0.8 goals conceded-per-game) compared with Rosler (1.5 goals conceded-per-game).
image:
http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Screen-Shot-2015-11-11-at-12.54.351.pngLeeds have a better defensive record under Steve Evans
Leeds have a better defensive record under Steve Evans.
Leeds have kept their defensive shape and proved a far more resolute side to break down, having previously been guilty of committing basic defensive errors, misplacing passes in dangerous areas, failing to track runners and maintaining concentration levels from the first whistle.
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http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Screen-Shot-2015-11-11-at-13.25.521.pngLeeds' defensive shape has helped keep two consecutive clean sheets
Leeds’ defensive shape has helped keep two consecutive clean sheets.
Liam Cooper has impressed since stepping up as the club’s stand-in skipper, though he needs to maintain his run of form. Fellow centre-back Giuseppe Bellusci is the Marmite footballer of the club, splitting fans’ opinions of him right down the middle.
Unbeatable when on top of his game, he’s a defender who always seems prone to defensive lapses. Whether Evans can iron these mistakes out of his game remains to be seen, but he impressed against Huddersfield and will gain confidence from a towering performance in the West Yorkshire derby.
Gaetano Berardi has been by far the most consistent player for the club this term. He’s impressed his head coach and excelled slotting in at left-back. The Swiss defender has won an impressive 68% of his aerial duels and made 42 interceptions this campaign.
Sol Bamba’s form will be a concern for Evans, who will need to restore the club captain’s early season run of form. Bamba only returned to the side after Cooper was taken off against Huddersfield after a serious collision with team-mate Scott Wootton.
Evans has also warned his players against complacency and has admitted to looking at bringing in competition for goalkeeper Marco Silvestri following a series of individual errors this season.
Width and the creativity of Stuart Dallas
Stuart Dallas has switched flanks from left to right and flourished, creating 17 chances in the Championship this season; no Leeds player has managed more. It’s a refreshing statistic given the lack of natural width at the club for a substantial length of time.
The 24-year-old has registered more assists (three) than any other Leeds player this season, and is proving an effective outlet down the right flank. Dallas’ tireless work ethic has also helped close down space and break down opposing attacks.
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http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4696763.jpgNo Leeds player has created more chances than Stuart Dallas (17) this season
No Leeds player has created more chances than Stuart Dallas (17) this season.
Nurturing Lewis Cook
Lewis Cook is the real jewel in the Leeds United crown. The epitome of an old head on young shoulders, the England Under-19 midfielder looks so assured on the ball. He times his tackles to perfection, and rarely loses the ball or focus of shielding the back four when out of possession.
Many regard Cook to be one of the brightest prospects the club’s prestigious academy has ever produced, and the teenager has completed more take-ons than any other Leeds player this season (15).
The fans’ favourite has continued to excel under Evans, so securing the midfielder’s future will be a key priority for the head coach and the club going forward.
Rekindling Alex Mowatt’s form
Alex Mowatt, Leeds’ second top scorer last term with nine goals, has finally revived the goalscoring form he’s capable of. Mowatt scored in consecutive matches under his new coach after a run of 20 games without a goal stretching back to April.
The 20-year-old’s trusty left foot has produced 10 of his 12 goals for the club, nine of which have come from outside the box. This is something that Evans will no doubt be keen to capitalise on further.
Evans has given Mowatt a much-needed confidence boost since his arrival and admitted via the Yorkshire Evening Post that the midfielder has had “another lease of life. He’s on the way back up.â€
The Doncaster-born number 10 is a difficult midfielder to describe in the nicest possible sense. He’s not particularly quick, great in the air or a tenacious tackler, but his intelligence, movement and ability on the ball makes him stand apart from other prospects of a similar stature in the division.
Not only can Mowatt produce moments of brilliance out of nothing like he did against Huddersfield, but the Leeds United Player of the Year should also take responsibility for the club’s set-pieces, having scored two corkers from direct free-kicks for the Whites.
Interestingly, Mowatt has scored 83% of his goals in the second half of matches (10/12), though Leeds do have a tendency to score most of their goals after the interval. There are plenty of goals in his locker, so Evans should look to exploit that for all it’s worth.
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http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Screen-Shot-2015-11-11-at-12.38.31.pngAlex Mowatt has scored nine of his 12 goals for Leeds from outside the box.
Reaping the rewards from Leeds’ forward line
Mirco Antenucci is arguably the most technically gifted footballer at the club. Luke Murphy labelled him as “probably the best finisher at the club†back in August. Few would doubt it.
The 31-year-old thrives when deployed behind the front-man, bringing others into play and creating openings for himself and his team-mates. The bearded Italian forward has registered 15 goals in 54 club appearances since joining from Catania in August 2014, and has notched five goals this season with a conversion rate of 25%.
Chris Wood is Leeds’ leading scorer this season with six goals, and has scored twice since Evans took charge.
The New Zealand marksman is the main focal point of attack, so if Leeds can provide the 23-year-old with more service, he will no doubt continue to consistently add to his tally.
image:
http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Screen-Shot-2015-11-11-at-13.29.50.pngSwitching to a 4-4-2 system gives Leeds far more attacking options going forward
Switching to a 4-4-2 system has given Leeds far more attacking options going forward.
Evans’ switch to a 4-4-2 system has provided Wood with much more movement and numbers going forward than previously under Rosler, where he was often far too isolated with little supply as a lone target man.
Wood will need to improve his haul in front of the Elland Road faithful though, having scored five of his six league goals for Leeds on the road.
Going forward
Evans has won promotion at every club he’s managed throughout his managerial career, and though he faces an uphill struggle to maintain that record, he’s made significant early strides to succeed at Elland Road against the odds.
Certain sections would support the notion of a shift in the club’s on-field fortunes coinciding with Cellino announcing he would no longer attend any further Leeds matches while in charge. Others won’t believe in coincidences.
It’s a results game, but the 53-year-old head coach has already won over masses of loyal fans who have warmed to his unorthodox managerial style and pressing football, despite often referring to himself in the third person during press duties.
Ensuring the likes of Luke Murphy, Sol Bamba and Sam Byram rediscover their form will be key to Evans’ success.
Whether Byram remains part of Evans’ set-up come January remains to be seen, though the addition of further signings would certainly help add healthy competition for places. However, the boss will only take on players who work hard for his side.
The playoffs may prove a tad ambitious, but if he can survive the prevailing winds of takeovers and off-field issues surrounding the club, then who knows where this journey could take Leeds?
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