Leeds United have been found out. Defensively, at least. Although it's not actually their fault. The timing couldn't be any worse for the Whites, especially now that they've squandered numerous chances to drag themselves away from the threat of relegation.
Having conceded 18 goals over their last five matches - the most of any team in that period -, they can also now boast that they own the worst defensive record in the Premier League (not that they'll want to).
The key Leeds are missing to solving their woes at the back has been out of their hands for the entire season - mainly because he's been in their injury room instead. Last season's defensive statistics are dominated by one name - Stuart Dallas. A player that has heard absolute no chatter about him this season whatsoever because he's been unable to play with his leg injury that has kept him out for close to a year now.
READ MORE: Leeds United may need cages rattling and Javi Gracia breaking with his tradition
Dallas led them in almost all major defensive categories - Tackles Won (56) and Interceptions (57) to name two - and was second or third in Blocks (45), Passes Blocked (31), and Clearances (63).
That is a huge defensive blow to a team that just barely stayed in the Premier League last season - and it's not even looking at all of the intangibles he provides; leadership, experience, guidance, presence, calmness. And yes, they've made additions to the squad in order to counter Dallas' long-term situation but they've not worked out.
Rasmus Kristensen just scratches the top five in Interceptions, Tackles Won and Clearances across the squad, meaning Luke Ayling's (who was often above or second to Dallas in those areas) numbers have suffered as a result.
Max Wober has been by far the most successful addition to the defensive unit over the two recent windows, but he's found himself sat on the sidelines with injury throughout this current crisis.
The man who has truly stepped up to no surprise, and another forced to watch from the injury room, has been Tyler Adams who, as a midfielder, leads every category mentioned apart from Clearances this season.
With their two best defensive units over the last two seasons out with injury at the moment, it's no wonder that Leeds have been so poor at stopping goals throughout the campaign, but within recent weeks in particular.
The unsolvable issue that manager Javi Gracia now faces is that only time can heal this injury problem - although it's time they can't afford given their position in the table.
With the reality of relegation looming ever closer, the Spaniard needs to find some way, any way, of keeping goals out and putting them into the opposition net insted.
If he can't, it could be Leeds', and his own, Premier League curtain call come the end of May.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United supporters pull no punches with player ratings after Liverpool thrashing
Damning Leeds United statistics as mid-table assurances fall flat in relegation battle
Leeds United news as ex-Whites star sends warning to Wilfried Gnonto amid transfer question
Leeds United relegation prediction goes against the grain despite April's run of results
Paul Robinson slams Leeds United for having no Plan B as he asks Liam Cooper question
