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2 Leeds players that let Jesse Marsch down in 1-0 defeat v Nottingham Forest 

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A lot of the blame for Leeds United’s defeat against Nottingham Forest yesterday can be placed on Jesse Marsch’s head, but some individuals could have done more.

The Whites find themselves further in trouble this week as they sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone as things stand.

It comes after their most recent defeat at Nottingham Forest, who moved six clear of Leeds and the three below with a 1-0 win, thanks to Brennan Johnson’s beauty of a half-volley from the edge of the box in the first half.

That strike from the Wales international was the only real goalmouth action Leeds had to face at the City Ground, but they somehow came out on the losing side as chances went begging in the first half, while changes in the second half from Marsch killed the tempo of the match.

Here, we look at two players who we think let Marsch down away from home at the weekend…

Pascal Struijk

First of all, it’s harsh to lay the blame squarely on any player in the lineup from that drab performance, given that Marsch has to be accountable for how we ended up losing to that side.

However, having played at left-back throughout the season and previously looking to be getting better with every display, Struijk has struggled massively in 2023.

With a natural left-back sat on the bench, Marsch continues to play the square peg in the round hole, which doesn’t help Struijk at all, but he didn’t help himself either.

The yellow card he earned was unjust, but the foul was caused by poor positioning and his struggle to react to Johnson’s touch, which eventually led to the Forest forward’s goal.

Struijk was also extremely lucky to avoid a second yellow in the second half for a foul that looked more worthy than the initial one.

Should Marsch have been sacked?

Marsch in

Marsch in

Marsch out

Marsch out

Patrick Bamford

What is very clear from that first half is that Leeds are much closer to their best when a fully fit Bamford is in the side.

That shows through our very efficient chance creation where he is at the centre, and the fact that we had more of the ball in Forest’s half.

However, that has to come with goals, and Bamford knows he should have done better when given a square pass on the penalty spot, only to miss-hit the ball and see another chance go begging.

There were moments where he was unlucky, but we have to be doing better in these positions to get wins.

The big updated Patrick Bamford quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?

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Who did Leeds sign Patrick Bamford from?

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.