'He has to improve' - Wasteful Leeds United moment singled out as replacements wait for chance

Spurning one of Leeds United’s few gilt-edged chances during Saturday’s draw was another example of the improvement Brenden Aaronson needs to make. The American has one goal involvement across the last eight matches and in a side which is performing so well, he is one of the few starters with question marks hanging over his place.

Aaronson’s work rate, pressing and movement have never been in doubt, but his composure and decision-making around the penalty box have been poor for several weeks. There is no natural alternative to the 24-year-old in that pocket behind the striker and he has started every game since August 23.

Daniel Farke acknowledged the Preston North End clash was not easy for the attacker, who is better when the opponent does not sit deep and deny space. The first-half opportunity Aaronson blazed over the crossbar stood out for the manager.

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“It was also, for him, the third game [this week] within the starting line-up today,” he said. “For his game, it's always a little bit easier when there's a bit more space for timing his movements because when everything is so tied together, sometimes he could be a bit tidier on the ball.

“I got the feeling he still came into good positions in order to play the second-last or the last pass or to finish. For example, his great chance and because he's so much in movements, he brings himself into a good position, but we definitely have to work on that he shows a bit more consistency in the quality of this finish.”

Virtually every week, Leeds are faced with deep-lying opposition, who want to leave eight or nine outfield players across their defensive third. Opportunities like that one Aaronson had in Saturday’s first half are rare and have to be buried.

Farke does, generally, see improvement from his number 11, however. Five goals and one assist from 21 appearances show developing efficiency, in the manager’s eyes.

“To have such a situation as an offensive player, against a deep-sitting opponent, you just get, perhaps, one occasion during the game, one chance and then you have to be switched on and have to be there with a better finish,” he said of Saturday’s miss. “It’s definitely something he has to improve.

“He knows, as he's a young lad. I'm pleased he has improved. His efficiency is already there with five goals and also a few assists.

“He's there with proper end products during the season, but he's not the finished end product. There's still something to improve and, yes, this was definitely one of the games where he could have done better in a few situations.”