Leeds United currently sit third in the Championship table but David Prutton has named just one player from Daniel Farke’s squad in his TOTS so far.
The Whites have been among the very best at both ends of the field at the third-way point of the campaign, with only Sheffield United and Burnley conceding fewer goals.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are the only side to have scored more than Leeds, and had more luck gone their way in certain moments, they would be sitting top of the table.
Illan Meslier’s mistake in stoppage time at Sunderland is the one that immediately springs to mind, with that one single moment ultimately leading to a two-point swing between the teams.
Manor Solomon’s slip against Burnley and Brenden Aaronson’s last-gasp miss in the opening draw with Portsmouth were also tough to take.
Prutton names Pascal Struijk as only Leeds player in TOTS
While only one club has scored more goals than this Leeds this season, the foundation of the good start to the season has come from the back.
Leeds have conceded the fewest expected goals against (xGA) and fielded the lowest number of shots, which is largely down to their rock solid back four.
Following his return from a lengthy injury lay-off on the opening day, Pascal Struijk has arguably been the most important part of that, something which Sky Sports pundit Prutton has recognised.
Prutton chose Struijk as Leeds’ only representative in the TOTS so far for the way he has settled immediately back into the side.
He said: “He scored a wonderful goal from a set-piece, Leeds’ first since February this year. With a lot of change going at Leeds, with regards to the back end of last season, moving into the transfer window, big names moving on, unsettled and him missing a portion of the end of last season.
“I think he’s come back and settled into the rhythm and standards he had already set.
Junior Firpo and Ao Tanaka unfortunate omissions for Leeds
In Michael Cooper, Harry Souttar, Harrison Burrows and Vinicius Souza, Sheffield United have the most representatives in Prutton’s team.
In fairness to the Blades, they have amassed more points than anyone else, with their two-point deduction the only reason they are not top.
Cooper, Souttar and Souza are certainly fair inclusions but Leeds star Junior Firpo can consider himself unlucky not to be in over Burrows, with one goal and three assists this season.
Ao Tanaka should also be in there ahead of Alex Mowatt, as the quality of his performances since coming into the team have been incredible.
