A few Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media to a stat shared by LUFC Data, showing how poorly Blackburn Rovers maintained possession during our 2-1 win over the Ewood Park side.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men beat the Lancashire outfit at home last weekend thanks to goals by Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison, as the pair lashed the back of the net before Derrick Williams pulled one back for Rovers shortly before the break.
Williams’ strike came from Blackburn’s only shot of the half, as Tony Mowbray’s visitors struggled to get a foot on the ball as we boasted 73.8 per cent of the possession before heading down the tunnel.
Even when on the ball, Rovers struggled to create anything as they misplaced 52% of their passes before half-time, per WhoScored data, and could only increase their completion rate to 53% in the second period.
In total, LUFC Data note that Blackburn completed 50.6% of their 235 passes on Saturday, which was the lowest competition rate that any side has penned against us since Bielsa took charge in 2018.
Are Leeds stronger in 19/20 than last season?
Yes, absolutely
No, we have to strengthen
We had restricted Preston North End and Wigan Athletic to a completion rate of 53% during our 1-1 draw at Deepdale last month and our 2-0 win over the Latics in August, while holding Charlton Athletic at 55% and Brentford at 57% in our next-best performances of the season so far.
Here are some of the reactions offered to LUFC Data’s stats…
That first half especially was sublime
— Paul Clough (@PaulClough18) November 14, 2019
Terrible
— Andrew Kettlewell (@AndrewKettlewel) November 14, 2019
It did feel poor on the day tbh, but we still dominated nonetheless. The only time rovers threatened was from one of our lose passes. Their goal came from the corner where we gave them the ball
— James Pearson (@JamesPearson25) November 14, 2019
Press on the mistakes.
— Ben Doughty (@bendoughty22) November 14, 2019
It might have been poor but they still scored…
— Nick Aaron Riseley (@Nick_Riseley) November 14, 2019
cc: deluded commentators
— Jay ???????? (@jaymerry91) November 14, 2019