Ross McCormack reveals one big Leeds United concern - He's got a "bad feeling" | OneFootball

The former Leeds frontman doesn’t believe the Whites have enough options to lead the line compared to Sheff Utd and Burnley.

Former Leeds United forward Ross McCormack believes the Whites’ lack of striking options could cost them a top two place behind Burnley and Sheffield United.

Daniel Farke’s men have stuttered in recent weeks to surrender their place at the summit of the Championship table, with a 1-1 draw with Luton Town over the weekend meaning the Yorkshire club have only won one of their last five Championship outings.

Such a stumble has meant Sheffield United are a point clear of Leeds in second spot, while Burnley currently sit at the top of the tree ahead of the latest round of midweek fixtures.

With the race for Premier League football set to go down to the wire, Leeds make the difficult trip to Teesside to take on Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, aiming to go against the form book and pick up a vital three points on the road.

Looking ahead to the clash at the Riverside Stadium, former Whites forward Ross McCormack, who netted 58 goals from 157 appearances, has raised a concern with the Leeds frontline as Farke’s side have turned into the chasers for a top two place.

Ross McCormack highlights Leeds United's lack of firepower in top two race

Featuring on the TalkSPORT breakfast show with Jeff Stelling and Gabby Agbonlahor, Ross McCormack believes Leeds don’t have enough reliable options leading the line compared to what Sheffield United and Burnley possess.

When asked by Stelling whether Leeds were falling apart, McCormack responded: “Jeff to be honest, I think so. Even when you look back to last season, they’d done ever so well to catch Leicester, and then overtook them, and then what happened after the international break this time last season, we capitulated.

“It seems the same again. I’ve got a little bit of a bad feeling. I look at Sheffield United – they’ve won four of their last six, Burnley have won five of their last six, Leeds have won one.

“It’s not just the starting 11. Sheffield United are bringing players like Kieffer Moore, Tom Cannon, Callum O’Hare on in the striking areas. Leeds haven’t really got anyone. We start with (Joel) Piroe up top and if it’s not happening, they’ve got a young boy (Mateo) Joseph who’s unproved and is not a natural goalscorer. After that, you’ve got Patrick Bamford coming back, who’s been injured for the best part of the last three seasons.

“It’s just options, you know what it’s like this time of the year, pressure gets to players, some players feel it more than others, people might need to be taken out of the team to come out of the firing line.”

Leeds United forward options could cost them automatic promotion

For the majority of the season, Joel Piroe has been a steady and reliable option in front of goal, netting 15 times and ranking as the second-highest scorer in the division, but at some points, the forward isn’t going to be as effective in front of goal.

That is where other options are needed, but the young Mateo Joseph hasn’t burst onto the Championship scene as origianlly anticipated, while Patrick Bamford offers much-needed experience at this level, but can’t be trusted to keep himself fit after only just returning this month.

It could end up being a grave error to not add to the frontline during the winter window, with Sheffield United and Burnley so free-flowing going forward and picking up consistent points to push themselves away from the Whites.