adminLeeds United weren’t exactly aided by Anton Stach during Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace.
The German midfielder made his fifth consecutive Premier League start for the Whites at Elland Road on 20 September.
Pierre Sage’s side settled for a point following a goalless draw, with the West Yorkshire club far from their best.
Stach’s display at Elland Road was significantly below his normal level as Palace secured their first draw of the campaign.
The Eagles had suffered three defeats in their opening four league fixtures, with their other match ending in victory, while Daniel Farke’s team went into the encounter as favourites.
With the 27-year-old former Hoffenheim midfielder struggling for form recently, he was noticeable for the wrong reasons in LS11.
What Simon Rix didn’t like about Anton Stach in Leeds United draw vs Crystal Palace
Stach was evidently disappointing for Leeds against Palace and appeared to have a difficult afternoon.
Kaiser Chiefs’ Simon Rix, a Whites supporter, was particularly unimpressed with the Germany international’s distribution.
According to Sofascore, the midfielder completed 70 per cent of his passes, managed just one accurate cross from seven attempts and surrendered possession 20 times at Elland Road.
Although Stach is increasingly involved in attacking areas and statistics do not always tell the complete story, he didn’t appear to be in sync with his teammates.
The German midfielder covered plenty of ground, but his efforts ultimately produced little.
Speaking on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet on 21 September, Rix said: “Stach was a bit rubbish. He did actually cover the most ground, I’ve noticed.
“What I was looking at was people’s pass completions and Tanaka was 97 per cent. And Stach’s was 70 per cent. His passes were behind people or just short. It just seemed like it wasn’t working for him.
Lessons Daniel Farke will take from draw vs Crystal Palace
Leeds retained the same starting XI against Palace, but the hosts appeared somewhat sluggish.
The Whites struggled to assert control over the contest, with the Eagles forcing them onto the back foot for long periods.
Jayden Bogle’s struggles to move the ball forward also hurt Leeds, and in matches like this, having a natural right winger could help the West Yorkshire side maintain possession in advanced areas.
Farke has established an excellent structure in his defence but will be concerned by the amount of action James Trafford was required to handle to keep the Eagles at bay.
The international break provides the German manager with an opportunity to reassess certain aspects of his team in LS11.
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