Burnley 1 Leeds United 0: Five Whites talking points

Chris Wood must be more lethal or removed from the side

Wood looked set for a productive end to the season when clinically netting in last Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with QPR, but there was nothing clinical about his display at Burnley.

Yes, the New Zealand international got into good positions for his two second-half headers but, as a striker, that’s his job. It’s also his job to score goals and both chances were sitters. If Leeds are going to go anywhere next season they need a striker with a ruthless killer instinct and Wood quickly needs to find his.

Attacking influences must be top of the agenda this summer

However Wood fares between now and the end of the season, United simply must recruit several flair and attacking players over the summer as a lack of those is continually letting Leeds down. United dominated the second half against Burnley who admittedly were 1-0 up but are nonetheless the division’s leaders and very likely destined for the Premier League. But every week there’s a continued pattern of Leeds having the lion’s share of possession and of territorial advantage but not doing anything with it. All the more galling is that actually United did create two golden chances on Saturday but both were wasted. Hence strikers and attacking midfielders must be recruited if the Whites have any designs of finishing anywhere near next season’s promotion places.

United’s defence should be built around Liam Cooper

The jury remains out on Giuseppe Bellusci who was dropped for Saturday’s clash at Burnley while Sol Bamba divides opinion it seems though it must be said Bamba had a reasonable game on Saturday. His charge out of defence to try and win an early header led to Burnley’s goal but Bamba was pretty good that aside, against the best attacking side in the division with 64 goals from 41 games. But Cooper was even better and it’s pretty rare that the former Chesterfield player drops a clanger. In short, Cooper is solid, reliable and probably still improving as a 24-year-old in only his second season of full Championship football. His best is probably yet to come and it must be him and one other at centre back from here on in.

Leeds could very well finish 21st

This was said after last weekend’s loss at Rotherham and remains even more of a possibility after United’s most recent result, and yet another victory for the Millers, not to mention Fulham and Bristol City. Leeds are now within touching distance of mathematical safety from relegation as third-bottom MK Dons can only get to 52 points and 15th-placed United are on 48 with six games to go. Furthermore, MK Dons are showing no signs at all of winning. But one point out of 12 is a grim recent tally for Leeds who are only two points clear of fourth-bottom Rotherham ahead of Tuesday night’s game in hand at Birmingham City.

Pizza deliveries are aimed at refuelling carbs

There was something of a Twitter storm after Saturday’s game at Turf Moor when a Domino’s employee was pictured delivering pizzas on to United’s team coach. A few individuals took to social media to rant about how United’s players were not deserving of ‘treats’ but the pizzas are merely aimed as providing a quick way for players to re-fuel on carbs, whilst it is also true to say there are other ways of doing this.