Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach has fired a warning to Tottenham Hotspur ahead of them coming to Elland Road.
Anton Stach of Leeds United has been among the better signings of their summer, with one expert labelling Stach as Leeds’ best signing after his £19.9 million arrival to Leeds from Hoffenheim.
In fact, Stach has taken to life at Leeds well in August despite some disappointing results. He has been a real threat, with Stach up with Bruno Fernandes in Premier League chances created.
The German midfielder became one of three record breakers for Leeds against Wolves. He was one of three goalscorers, with each being a new signing. However, even if Dominic Calvert-Lewin stood out, Stach was the standout player vs Wolves.
Anton Stach reflects on Leeds’ start and provides Leeds vs Spurs preview
The 26-year-old has reflected on his start and Leeds’ start, too. Speaking via the BBC, he said: “It’s difficult, of course, after such a game. Because I think we had a really good game against Bournemouth against a really good side.
“Now, after two or three days, of course we take a point. Because I think it’s a valuable point. But in the game, and especially after the game, of course it was not the best feeling to take only one point away from this game and not three.”
He was asked about their competitiveness in each game, aside from Arsenal. Stach added: “Yeah, I think the same against Arsenal. I think Arsenal was really effective when they scored. I think they scored two goals in extra time out of set-pieces.
“But I think the other games, we were nearly in every game a bit more the better side, I would say. Took some points, but we know we have to keep going as a newly-promoted side and we know we want to do this.”
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Looking ahead, Stach fired a warning shot to their next opponent, stating: “Yeah, I think they are really good. I think they are in fourth position now? I think they have really good individual quality in nearly every position.
“And, of course, it’s hard to play such a side. When you go to press, the individual can solve this situation and come out. We have to deal with it.
“We have to be strong, especially in our home game. We are not there to hide ourselves from them. We have to be like Sean [Longstaff] said in the huddle. We want to compete and win duels and then maybe win the game.”
Of course, it’s no guarantee that Archie Gray will start, but it would be his first appearance against Leeds if he did. That would mean a midfield battle against 6’4″ Stach and former teammate Ethan Ampadu.
Graham Smyth’s thoughts on Anton Stach’s foul against Bournemouth
In a variety of ways, Stach should be a ‘game changer’ and ceiling-raiser for Leeds this season. However, he gave away a soft free-kick against Bournemouth which they scored from.
Graham Smyth has reflected on that, with his view being that Sean Longstaff was fouled by Bournemouth before Stach’s foul on Ryan Christie. He said: “There’s an element of bad luck as well, though.
“Because, in the build-up to the first goal, I thought Sean Longstaff was shoved in the back with a two-hander and it’s allowed to go on.
“The ball gets headed around a bit and then Stach does go in on the back of Christie. Daniel Farke’s called it the softest free kick that will be given all weekend. He felt it just wasn’t a free-kick in the Prem.
“I was obviously in the West stand. The play was Christie was kind of coming towards us in that direction. I thought Stach went into his back. I guess, if he was looking right through Christie’s body, then I guess he would see the ball.
“But I just don’t think you can give them the opportunity to go down there. That’s such a terrible place to give one away.
“There were moments where you just turn your back, you wait for the contact, you go down like a prime Luke Ayling and you get the free-kick.”