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Leeds United fans will be wondering what has happened to Pontus Jansson’s magic hat?
Leeds United’s poor run of form has seen them drop firmly out of play-off contention in the Championship. Since Boxing Day, Leeds are bottom of the form table and look set to finish in mid-table.
Much of the blame has been laid at the door of the club’s defenders. Rightly so, Leeds have been incredibly leaky at the back and conceded heaps of soft goals. One player who must receive a large scoop of the criticism is Swedish defender Pontus Jansson.
Last season he was a colossus at the back for Leeds. Playing alongside the more reserved Kyle Bartley, Jansson’s gung-ho displays were rightly applauded. Soon enough he became a Leeds United hero. The fans loved him and Jansson was back in the Sweden squad being linked with Premier League teams.
This season has been vastly different. Jansson has had periods of good form but overall his campaign has been mixed. His judgement has been poor this season and he often finds himself out of position. It has been suggested that Jansson needs to be playing in a settled defence to play his best.
Last season he was alongside the composed and confident Kyle Bartley with the experienced Robert Green behind him. This season he has played opposite Liam Cooper and Matthew Pennington with the erratic Felix Wiedwald in goal.
Jansson himself has commented on his bad form this season but it appeared to take an upturn in December. However, the last few weeks he has been poor. Once again that was the case against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend and Leeds fans are surely wondering where on earth the Swedish star has laid his magic hat recently.
If Jansson cannot pick up his form for Leeds soon, his place in Sweden’s World Cup squad in the summer must be up for debate. If he carries on the way he has been at Leeds, his place in the Elland Road starting XI could even be up for grabs.