Gary Rowett was in the stands at Elland Road last Saturday, watching his new Oxford United side as they got thrashed by Leeds.
Leeds United made lightwork of Oxford United last time out, thumping the U’s 4-0 to remain 2nd in the Championship table.
Going into the game, Oxford United sacked Des Buckingham who had won just once in 15, with Rowett having held talks with the club prior to the Leeds game.
Dam James had Daniel Farke’s side in front by half-time. Leeds then ran riot in the second half scoring three more times through Jayden Bogle, Brenden Aaronson, and Manor Solomon.
Up next for the Whites is a Boxing Day trip to Stoke City. Leeds lost 1-0 at Stoke City last time they played at the bet365 Stadium and so Farke will take plenty of caution going into this one.
He may also have an eye on Championship leaders Sheffield United who remain three points ahead of Leeds, with a home game against 3rd place Burnley coming up on Boxing Day.
Gary Rowett makes Leeds and Sheffield United point after Oxford drubbing
Speaking to Oxford Mail ahead of his first game in charge of Oxford United on Boxing Day, Rowett spoke about the Leeds defeat.
He was in the stands watching his new side as they fell to defeat. But the experienced Football League boss isn’t looking into the game too much.
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Rowett says Leeds are an ‘outlier’ and recalled their 2-0 win over Sheffield United back in October as an example of how good the Whites are.
He said: “Leeds are a little bit of an outlier anyway. I remember seeing Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, who I believe are one of the very best teams in this division, and I saw Leeds comfortably beat them.
“Sometimes you have to look at the level. You see little things in the performance. I thought there were quite a few things in the first half that I actually really liked.”
Chris Wilder’s intriguing Leeds United claim
Sheffield United Chris Wilder has spoken about Leeds on multiple occasions this season. But he often says that he thinks the Whites are ahead of his Blades side.
Most recently, Wilder spoke about the promotion picture in the Championship and again insisted that Sheffield United aren’t anywhere near the likes of Leeds.
He said earlier in December: “We’re nowhere near the teams nailed on to go straight back up. Have to work for everything.
“If we have a positive January & give these (young) players a bit of help, we’ll produce better performances than this.”
Leeds are going strong with one defeat in eight now. But those around them keep on picking up wins as well.
The Whites’ Achilles heel remains away form and that’ll really be put to the test against Stoke City on Boxing Day.
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