'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'

GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.

- Chris Dunlavy

The former Birmingham, Stoke and Millwall boss was in the commentary box for Sky when Daniel Farke’s men triumphed 2-0 against Sheffield United recently.

Chris Wilder’s Blades were unbeaten in their opening nine games coming into the clash, and had conceded just three times.

But they couldn’t lay a glove on their hosts, who fielded five international forwards over the course of the 90 minutes.

And that, says Rowett, is why the Whites will be untouchable this term.

“I walked into Elland Road that night thinking I was probably watching the best two teams in the division,” says Rowett, who has managed almost 400 Championship games.

“And don’t get me wrong – I still think Sheffield United have a very, very good chance under Chris.

“But what I came away thinking is that Leeds just have so many forward options, I would be so surprised if they didn’t win the league this year. So, so surprised.

“Just look at what they did that night. They started off with a front four of Largie Ramazani, Willy Gnonto, Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson. Then they bring on Mateo Joseph, they bring on Dan James, they bring on Manor Solomon. Those three have all played in the Premier League, by the way.

“And people forget, they also brought Patrick Bamford on in the 90th minute. That’s an England international, thrown on as almost a token gesture.

“It’s an embarrassment of riches, really. When you look at that front eight, any one of them would probably get a game for every other team in the league. That’s scary.

“If you can bring on players of that quality with 15, 20 minutes to go, you’re just going to ask too many questions of most opponents at that stage of the game.

“They could play well, play poorly – it doesn’t matter. Those options and that firepower alone will win games. I’ve seen it happen countless times over the years.”