Don Goodman’s Message To Leeds Sign Quality, Not Quantity

Speaking to BoyleSports, Sky Sports pundit and ex-EFL striker Don Goodman has spoken about Leeds United’s promotion and the need for them to recruit quality over quantity in the summer.

Goodman also speaks about the playoff race and gives his dark horse prediction to oust Sheffield United in the coming weeks.

Champions Leeds United

You've got to give credit to Burnley and Sheffield United, who kept Leeds United honest for the whole season. But it was obvious to me that Leeds United were the best and most well-rounded team in the Championship. They were solid defensively and carried a great goalscoring threat.

It could have gone wrong, though, when they had a wobble and were dropping points against teams in the bottom half. But they picked themselves up, finished strongly and proved they were the strongest team in the league.

Quality Over Quantity

Obviously, signing a goalkeeper will be important. The fact that Daniel Farke took so long to replace Ilian Meslier with Karl Darlow suggests that he won't fancy Darlow to be the first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Looking at the last six promoted teams, who all got relegated, their recruitment went horribly wrong. I think they went for quantity over quality when it should be the other way around. When I reflect on that debate, I look at when Wolves were promoted in 2018, and they only signed a few players. Rui Patricio in goal, Jonny in defence, João Moutinho in midfield and Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore up front. They all went straight into the starting lineup and ended up finishing seventh. I would urge Leeds to sign quality.

They need to persuade Manor Solomon to sign permanently, as he's been excellent. It will then be about strengthening the spine of the team with a goalkeeper, centre-half, central midfielder, number 10 and striker. That's no disrespect to any of the players who currently occupy those positions.

I do think Leeds are going into the Premier League with much better foundations than the six previous promoted teams, who all ended up being relegated.

Leeds Now Equipped For The Premier League?

Yes, it's fair to say they'll have a better chance of survival this time around. Vincent Kompany was never going to waver from a possession-based style of football, whereas Scott Parker's success and two previous promotions have been based on having a solid defence.

Basically, they'll need to have those solid foundations. They'll find it tremendously harder to keep clean sheets and prevent goals going in, but I think they'll be a lot less exposed than they were under Vincent Kompany. That in itself gives them a better chance, in my opinion.

But, like Leeds and whoever goes up through the play-offs, they'll need to significantly strengthen the group that is currently in place to tackle the Premier League head-on.

Playoff Prediction

I'm covering Bristol City vs Sheffield United, and you've got four teams coming into the play-offs who all endured poor form in the last six games of the league season. Between the four teams, they collectively won just seven of their last combined 24 games, which seems crazy. But I looked at last year and Leeds, Southampton, West Brom and Norwich City won just eight of the 24.

What was more normal is that the teams in the four seasons before that won 12, 15, 12 and 16 of their last combined 24 games and went into the play-offs in much better form. I think the fact that this season's teams are going into the play-offs in such form makes it more interesting and slightly shadows the fact that Sheffield United are by far the best team, which is shown in their points tally, defensive record and by the number of games that they have won compared to the rest. Yet, because of the fact they've won just two in seven, it's a bit more open.

If Sheffield United can control their emotions, then, for me, they will win the play-offs.

Dark Horse Call

The dark horse to watch out for is Coventry City. In contrast to their away form, Coventry City's home form has been outstanding. They only lost to Burnley and Leeds in the last 11 home winning the other 9, and with respect, Sunderland are no Leeds or Burnley. If they can come away from the first leg at the CBS Arena with a lead, then I think they'll end up in the play-off final with Sheffield United.

I'm writing off my old team in Sunderland because they've lost five games in a row. I can't say I've seen anything like it before from a team heading into the play-offs. Bristol City only won one of their last five games, too.

It's there for Coventry and Sheffield United to make the final, but this is the Championship, and we know how it loves to throw up surprises!

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.