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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
For the most part this season, Liam Cooper and Ben White have been utterly dominant at the back for Leeds.
The Whites have put to bed concerns surrounding their defence in pre-season to concede just four goals in their opening eight Championship matches.
Pontus Jansson might not be at the club any longer but that hasn’t mattered.
His replacement, Ben White, has won the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month for August in a brilliant start to life in the second tier for the 21-year-old.
If their centre-back pairing didn’t already have an advantage, they will be at an even bigger one on Saturday against Charlton.
On the chalkboard
The Addicks started the campaign in superb fashion as they were unbeaten in their opening six matches.
Lyle Taylor was imperative in that as Lee Bowyer’s skipper netted five times.
However, he’ll miss the game through an injury sustained on international duty with Montserrat.
It was a blow for Charlton at the time but knowing he’ll miss a game as big as the Leeds one will be bitterly disappointing for Bowyer.
With that in mind, Cooper and White could be in for a much easier afternoon than anticipated just a few weeks ago.
What would have been built as a fascinating clash between two sides in and around the promotion places has slightly lessened in significance.
Charlton have lost both games since Taylor’s injury, predominantly because of how poor their forward line has been in his absence.
Without him their threat is reduced significantly so Leeds’ defence should be rubbing their hands with glee.
Trying to break down White and Cooper, who have amassed a combined aerial duels tally of 7.8 per game, could be Jonathan Leko and Tomer Hemed.
The former has netted just once while the latter was laid into by supporters following a poor day last time out.
Hemed has yet to find the back of the net and averages just one shot per game. Leko manages 1.3 which is significantly below Taylor’s 2.7, via WhoScored.
If they have him at their disposal, Charlton are a force to be reckoned with, but they will have to make do without.
Therefore, Cooper and White could have an easier afternoon.
