A look to the future: How have Leeds United’s under-23s lined up tactically so far this season?

THIS summer saw Whites under-23s manager and first team coach Carlos Corberan leave Leeds United for pastures new and join Huddersfield Town as their new head coach.
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Corberan left with the blessing of Marcelo Bielsa after staying on for another year despite having the opportunity to leave Leeds last summer.

Corberan was replaced by coach Mark Jackson, who has enjoyed some success in previous years with the under 18’s.

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He has seen many of the players he coached go on to make their first team debut.

KEY COG: Leeds United's summer recruit and England under-19s international Joe Gelhardt, left. Picture by Donall Farmer/PA Wire.KEY COG: Leeds United's summer recruit and England under-19s international Joe Gelhardt, left. Picture by Donall Farmer/PA Wire.
KEY COG: Leeds United's summer recruit and England under-19s international Joe Gelhardt, left. Picture by Donall Farmer/PA Wire.

With Leeds securing category one status in July, there has been a lot of changes in a short space of time.

Both new coaching staff and heavy investment in new players have been secured to ensure that Leeds are competitive this season and that the talent supply continues now that they’re a Premier League club.

Another thing that has changed is the tactical system that Leeds United’s under-23s have played.

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Since Bielsa has been at the club, both the first team and the academy have adopted a 4-1-4-1 or a 3-3-1-3 depending on their opposition.

Leeds United at both their first team and academy level have very rarely played a system that involves playing two strikers, however this has been the case in the under 23’s games this season.

The main system of choice by Mark Jackson seems to be a 3-5-2 with summer signings Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood leading the line.

At times a 4-4-2 has also been deployed but given the lack of full back options, playing wing backs suits the current personnel better.

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The strike partnership, whether it be Greenwood and Gelhardt or under 18’s strikers Max Dean and Max McMillan, have worked very well together.

When pressing the opposition they tend to split into wider positions and look to channel the opposition to one side of the pitch.

In possession, one striker will play as an out and out number 9 whereas the other striker will look to come deeper and be involved in the build-up phase.

This role has normally been fulfilled by Joe Gelhardt who likes to pick the ball up in between the lines and in the half space and then drive at the opposition’s full backs.

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It is still early days and with only five games played so far there is still plenty of time for tactical changes.

However, the early indicators would suggest that Mark Jackson is stamping his authority.

There is also the chance that the under 23’s are planning long term, as we have seen a glimpse of the 3-5-2 formation in the first team during their match against Sheffield United.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how it develops throughout the season.

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Thank you Laura Collins