Ao Tanaka reveals what Leeds United must do to boost promotion challenge

Leeds United have been sent a clear message of where they have to improve - by their own midfielder Ao Tanaka. The Whites recorded another home win by beating QPR 2-0 at Elland Road on Saturday, but it's their away form which has to pick up, according to the Japan star.

Tanaka put in another impressive display in the centre of the park as Leeds dominated the ball against Rangers, the only concern being that it took an injury-time goal from Joel Piroe to end fears that the visitors could snatch a point following Jayden Bogle's opener. It was Leeds' sixth win from eight Championship games at Elland Road, the best record on home soil in the division.

However, Daniel Farke's men fare less well away from home, with only two wins on the road so far this campaign. Leeds have picked up 10 points on their travels to date, which is hardly a bad record, but sit seventh in the 'away' league table.

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They head to Swansea City in their first fixture after the international break, and also face away games at Blackburn, Preston, Stoke and Derby before the end of 2024. Tanaka was pleased to have landed another important three points on Saturday, but made a salient point when celebrating the win on social media.

“Always win at home," he posted on Instagram. "Let’s get three points away.”

Leeds' last away win came at Cardiff back in September, while they also picked up three points at Sheffield Wednesday in August. Since then they have drawn at Norwich, Sunderland and Bristol City before last week's 1-0 defeat at in-form Millwall.

Last season was a similar story, with Leeds topping the home table for the 2023-24 campaign, but significantly falling behind Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton when it came to away form - something that proved costly in the final reckonning.