Leeds’ bright start to the season has been dealt a tough blow following 4 losses in their last 5 Championship games, and the alarms bells have started ringing.
Manager Thomas Christiansen was active in the summer transfer window, with almost wholesale changes made to the squad.
However, Leeds sold New Zealand international striker Chris Wood to Burnley for £15million, replacing him with German striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga.
The Hamburg forward started brightly for the Whites, with 3 goals and 2 assists in his first 4 matches hinting that Woods won’t be missed.
Leeds have since stopped winning, and Oldham Athletic manager Richie Wellens believes Wood’s departure could prove hurtful to their promotion chances in the long run.
Wellens claims a couple of Leeds players may start to worry once the goals start to dry up.
Woods bagged 27 Championship goals last term as the Elland Road outfit narrowly missed out on a playoff spot, and the club’s recent rut could see the players start missing the influence of the Kiwi striker.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ show EFL Matters, Wellens said: “Chris Wood is going to be a huge loss. The initial reaction might have been good but long term you’re thinking as a midfield player or a defender, ‘Who’s going to get our goals?’
“It can just change the way you’re going to play, change your thinking.
“If you’ve got a goalscorer up front who can score at any moment it switches you on because you know you can win the game.”
Leeds visit Bristol City on Saturday and will hope to arrest a run of 3 straight defeats in order to avoid dropping off the playoff zone and banish early fears of having last season repeat itself.
