Kalvin Phillips explains the two factors holding Leeds back at home

Kalvin Phillips insists Leeds United do not have a mental block at home and believes two minor things have prevented them from making Elland Road a fortress this season.

United top the Championship table on goal difference from Swansea, but the story could have been so much better for the Whites, having conceded a 91st-minute goal – the only effort on their net all game –  to draw 1-1 with Derby on Saturday.

And it’s been a familiar tail of woe at Elland Road with the club also conceding a last-ditch goal to lose 1-0 to the Swans in their previous outing, while a late strike also denied them victory in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

That’s a complete contrast to their fortunes on the road, where Marcelo Bielsa’s side have won four out of four games and leading to the Argentine fielding questions about why Leeds haven’t played both Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah from the off.

Some pundits claim Leeds have a mental block when it comes to playing in front of their own supporters, but the club’s talismanic midfielder Phillips denies this is the case.

“I don’t think so,” he told Leeds Live when asked how much of a problem Leeds’ home form is. “I think for us the second goal is vital. If we’re 1-0 up we get a bit cagey towards the end. If we get that second goal which we didn’t [on Saturday] unfortunately, but I think once we get the second goal there’s no stopping us.

“With the fans behind us, they do exceptionally well. But the performance from the team was a good performance.”

Asked what Leeds need to do better and the Wortley native insists that hard work, combined with better luck will see Leeds find the net with the regularity that their play deserves.

“I think it’s a bit of both,” he continued. “I think we can work on it more but I think it comes down to luck.

“You’ve seen Pat [Bamford] got in so many good positions, and he hit the post. With Klichy [Mateusz Klich] missing the penalty, I think we could have easily come away with a good three or four-nil win.

“I think it’s a kind of luck really. Once we get those goals there’ll be no stopping us.”

 

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