Leeds United Player Ratings: Bogle, Piroe, and Aaronson Struggle in Draw Against Preston North End
Leeds United’s hopes of securing a much-needed victory were dashed as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Preston North End at Elland Road. While the game had its moments of brilliance, several key players from the Whites had disappointing performances, leaving fans frustrated. In particular, the efforts of James Bogle, Joel Piroe, and Brenden Aaronson fell short of expectations, with each player struggling to make an impact on the pitch. Below, we analyze the individual performances from Leeds United’s players during this tense Championship encounter.
1. Karl Darlow (Goalkeeper) – 6/10
Karl Darlow was the first line of defense for Leeds United in this match, and while he didn’t have a particularly busy game, he showed moments of reliability. The goalkeeper made a crucial save early in the second half, preventing a potential second goal for Preston. However, Darlow’s overall distribution was inconsistent, especially in the first half, where his long balls were often misdirected. Despite some nervy moments, his shot-stopping was generally solid, and he did not make any critical errors that led directly to goals.
2. Luke Ayling (Right-back) – 5/10
Luke Ayling struggled throughout much of the game, failing to assert his usual authority on the right side of the defense. His positioning was occasionally questionable, and he lacked the attacking dynamism that Leeds fans are accustomed to seeing from him. Going forward, Ayling was unable to provide the width and delivery that was needed to support the forwards, and defensively, he was caught out on a few occasions. His attempt to push up the pitch was often hindered by Preston’s solid defensive shape, and his overall performance did not inspire confidence.
3. Liam Cooper (Center-back) – 7/10
Liam Cooper was one of the more dependable figures at the back for Leeds, providing some much-needed stability in the center of defense. Cooper’s leadership on the field was evident, and he was aggressive in his aerial duels. He did well to read the game and break up a number of Preston’s attacks, though he wasn’t entirely without fault. The Scottish defender could have done better to prevent Preston’s equalizer, as his marking left a bit to be desired. Still, Cooper was one of the few players who looked committed and focused throughout the match.
4. Pascal Struijk (Center-back) – 6/10
Pascal Struijk had an inconsistent performance, struggling at times to cope with the movement of Preston’s attackers. While he made a number of important clearances and tackles, he was sometimes slow to react to danger and was caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Struijk’s composure on the ball was questionable at times, as he misplaced a few passes that led to Preston counter-attacks. His partnership with Cooper was solid for large parts, but there were moments when their lack of communication was exposed.
5. Joe Rodon (Left-back) – 5/10
Joe Rodon was a surprise selection at left-back, and his performance did little to justify his inclusion in that position. Though Rodon is primarily a center-back, his lack of familiarity with the left-back role was apparent. His positioning was often off, and he struggled with Preston’s wide players. Going forward, he didn’t offer the attacking support that Leeds would have hoped for, and his crossing was below par. Defensively, Rodon did make some clearances, but he was often caught out of position, leaving the left flank exposed.
6. Boubacar Kamara (Central Midfield) – 6/10
Boubacar Kamara worked tirelessly in midfield, breaking up play and trying to link defense to attack. However, his passing was not as precise as usual, and he struggled to control the tempo of the game. Kamara’s physicality was on display as he won several challenges, but he didn’t offer much creativity in the final third. His efforts were commendable, but overall, he was unable to impose himself on the game in a way that Leeds needed from their midfield general.
7. Archie Gray (Central Midfield) – 6/10
Youngster Archie Gray was another player who didn’t shine in this match. Although he showed glimpses of his potential with a couple of tidy passes and solid work off the ball, Gray struggled to cope with the physicality of Preston’s midfield. He was unable to control the flow of the game in the way that Leeds required, and his decision-making in possession was sometimes slow. That said, Gray’s energy and work rate were notable, and he is certainly a player to keep an eye on in the future, even though he was outclassed in this encounter.
8. Brenden Aaronson (Attacking Midfield) – 4/10
Brenden Aaronson was one of the most disappointing performers of the match. The American international was largely anonymous for much of the game and failed to make an impact in the final third. His dribbling was ineffective, and his passing was often erratic, which hindered Leeds’ attacking play. Aaronson struggled to connect with his teammates and couldn’t find the space or time to impose himself on the match. His performance was a far cry from the energetic displays fans have come to expect from him. Aaronson will certainly want to put this performance behind him and work to regain the confidence that made him a key player earlier in the season.
9. Crysencio Summerville (Winger) – 7/10
Crysencio Summerville was one of the brighter spots for Leeds on the day. The Dutch winger displayed his trademark pace and skill, frequently driving at Preston’s defenders and creating problems for their backline. While he wasn’t always able to deliver the final ball or finish himself, Summerville was a constant threat in wide areas. His flair and ability to run at defenders offered Leeds a much-needed outlet, but he was let down by the lack of support in attack. Still, his positive contributions stood out in an otherwise lackluster performance from the team.
10. Joel Piroe (Striker) – 5/10
Joel Piroe had a frustrating game up front, failing to provide the clinical edge that Leeds United needed in the final third. The Dutch striker struggled to get into dangerous positions and was often isolated due to the lack of service from the midfield. Piroe’s movement was decent, but his finishing was lacking when he did get the opportunity. At one point, he had a chance to put Leeds in the lead, but his shot was tame and easily saved. His lack of involvement in build-up play and inability to take chances when they came his way marked a disappointing performance for the forward.
11. Georginio Rutter (Forward) – 6/10
Georginio Rutter worked hard in attack, though his efforts were often stifled by the solid defending of Preston North End. He looked for space and tried to combine with his teammates, but the lack of cohesive play meant that he rarely received the ball in dangerous positions. Rutter showed good movement and energy, but he was largely ineffective in terms of goal-scoring opportunities. His overall performance wasn’t disastrous, but like many of his teammates, he failed to make an impact when it mattered most.
Substitutes:
- Ian Poveda (For Aaronson, 67′) – 5/10: Poveda came on with the hope of injecting some pace and creativity into the game, but he failed to make any meaningful impact. His dribbles lacked direction, and his decision-making in the final third was poor.
- Sam Greenwood (For Gray, 79′) – 6/10: Greenwood tried to add some much-needed spark to Leeds’ midfield in the latter stages of the game. He showed more composure than some of his teammates but wasn’t able to create any significant chances.
- Jack Harrison (For Rutter, 79′) – 6/10: Harrison’s arrival did little to change the course of the match, but he at least tried to make runs and offer an outlet. His contributions, while positive, were insufficient to shift the balance in Leeds’ favor.
Tactical Overview and Team Performance
Leeds United’s tactical approach was somewhat uninspired throughout the match. The Whites dominated possession, as they often do, but they struggled to break down Preston’s well-organized defense. The team’s passing was lackluster, and their inability to retain possession in midfield contributed to a disjointed attacking display. The decision to play Joe Rodon out of position at left-back was questionable, and the team lacked fluidity when transitioning from defense to attack.
Preston North End, in contrast, were resolute defensively and efficient in attack. They capitalized on Leeds’ defensive lapses and managed to snatch an equalizer in the second half, securing a hard-fought point at Elland Road. While Leeds had chances, their failure to capitalize on them, combined with a lack of creativity, made it difficult to secure all three points.
Conclusion: Frustration at Elland Road
This 1-1 draw will undoubtedly be seen as two points dropped for Leeds United. While some individual performances, such as that of Liam Cooper, were commendable, many key players, including Brenden Aaronson, Joel Piroe, and James Bogle, struggled to make their mark. With an important run of fixtures ahead, Leeds will need to improve their collective performance, especially in the attacking third, if they are to mount a serious challenge for promotion this season.
Manager Daniel Farke will have some tough decisions to make in terms of squad selection for future matches. The lack of clinical finishing, poor decision-making in the final third, and defensive lapses must be addressed. As the Championship race heats up, Leeds will need to rediscover the form that made them one of the pre-season favorites for promotion, or risk falling further behind the top teams.
