Leeds United

2 Leeds United players who badly let Jesse Marsch down in 2-2 Cardiff City draw

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Leeds United will play Cardiff City at Elland Road in an FA Cup replay after a 2-2 draw in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon.

The Whites were 2-0 down at half-time but managed to salvage a draw thanks to goals from substitute Rodrigo and a first senior goal in stoppage time from Sonny Perkins.

There were changes made from Jesse Marsch’s lineup from the game against West Ham United last time out in the Premier League, with some enforced and some rested for rotation.

But who were some of the players who badly let Jesse Marsch down during the draw? We take a look at TWO here.

Pascal Struijk

CARDIFF, WALES – JANUARY 08: Pascal Struijk of Leeds United during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Cardiff City and Leeds United at Cardiff City Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The Dutchman has been immense this season for Leeds but had a game to forget in the Welsh capital.

Struijk’s error led to the first Cardiff goal and his general play was sloppy and not of his usual high standard this campaign.

He played like someone who has played little as a centre-back this season having spent the majority of his time as a makeshift left-back for Leeds in the Premier League. It’s probably nothing to worry about longer-term but an out of character performance from Struijk.

The big updated Pascal Struijk quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?

1 of 20

Struijk was born in 1999?

Brenden Aaronson

CARDIFF, WALES – JANUARY 08: Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United battles for possession with Jack Simpson of Cardiff City during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Cardiff City and Leeds United at Cardiff City Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Aaronson again put in a sub-par performance, having shown mixed form in the league for a while now.

The American has been off colour of late, rarely contributing directly to a goal or assist. The pressing and off the ball quality is always there with Aaronson, but his final third contribution has been frustrating.

Aaronson’s timing of release and decision making are the things in particular that are letting him down, and that was evident against Cardiff once again. Perhaps Marsch is trying to play him into form but at the moment it is simply not clicking.

Does Marsch need to drop Aaronson?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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