5 things we learned

5 things we learned from the loss to Sheffield Wednesday

|

A truly terrible performance on Sunday to back up the equally poor games against Cardiff and Millwall. A lot was made clear during the game, along with a lot of puzzles to solve. Here are the 5 things we learned:

We need a plan B

It sounds obvious, but we really do need a plan B. At this stage, it seems that we have absolutely no idea what we’re doing in away games as soon as we go a goal down. At first it was “Oh, it’s Millwall, we can’t do anything about it”, then it was “Neil Warnock, this always happens” but after the game yesterday, people have realised we have a serious issue here. It’s clear that the formation isn’t working, that’s not to say it never will, but when it isn’t it needs to be changed. As simple as it sounds, sacrificing a Saiz or Hernandez and playing three in midfield could work wonders.

CB Pairing

When Cooper got suspended, I naively presumed that Pennington and Jansson would go on to form a great partnership that would continue our solid record at the back. However, if the Wednesday game is anything to go by, I was massively wrong. There was such a big gap between the two of them that you could have landed a now defunct Monarch plane there. Will it be Cooper or will it be Pennington? Check back next week on Come dine with Jansson.

Ronaldo Vieira needs to return

I love what Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane have brought to the table for large parts this season, but they seem to have hit a wall. Ronaldo Vieira was excellent last season and really should be given a chance now. There’s obvious issues that go with that, if he replaces Kalvin then we lose a goal threat, but if he replaces Eunan then we lack that guy who’s gonna get hold of the ball and bring it forward. That’s the decision Christiansen has to make, Phillips and Vieira have played well together before but O’Kane has been very solid this season, a tough one for sure.

Effort needs to be upped

For large parts of the game yesterday, Leeds didn’t look at all interested in the game being played. As soon as the first goal went in they were done. Kemar Roofe especially, put in one of the worst performances I’ve ever seen. Combine that with Alioski’s crossing and it was almost back to the good old days of Cameron Stewart and Jimmy Kébé. All over the pitch the effort was lacking, Jansson and Berardi didn’t seem anywhere near their usual levels. I hope not, but it almost seems like this team thought they were unbeatable already, only to be rudely brought back down to earth.

Thomas Christiansen isn’t invincible

As good as the start of the season was for Thomas Christiansen, he now faces a massive task to get us back on track. It almost seemed to easy at the start and I wouldn’t blame him if he got a little ahead of himself. Now though, we’ll see what he’s really made of.

Let us know what you think Leeds need to change to get back on track in the comments!

Share this article

0 comments

  • David Birley says:

    A team is built from the back ie: the goalkeeper but unfortunately our keeper has a very soft centre. No bottle. Get rid

  • phil says:

    Any team in the Championship or elsewhere will tell you we have a clown in the nets, wednesday players were peeing themselves as they dominated his box. Leeds guys were doing well till the first goal heads dropped thinking ‘here we go again’. weed walled should be dropped to third choice because he should have matured enough by now.

  • damian willitts says:

    You’re right with what you say. But I’ve always questioned Jansson and got slaughtered for my comments
    Is he number 1 choice at centre half. I know Leeds fans love someone who puts a shows passion in, but him and Berardi aren’t good enough in my opinion. Back in the day I questioned Smith and Strachan. Massively overrated for me!

  • Barry says:

    The coaching, it seems to have all gone to pot. There was too many people not trying is there someone interfering in the team selection that should not.

    Barry

  • Keith boothh says:

    drop Siaz, until he learns how to pass and not look for glory. Twice he could have put Lasoga in and twice he waisted the chance.

  • Clive says:

    Simple things,spine of the team needs to be strong . Defence has no confidence in goalkeeper ,Midfield is lightweight, we need to press when we don”t have the ball, not sit back. We give the ball away to much and look slow and laboured.

    • Dreamer says:

      Congratulations ! Your summation is spot on . This team as it stands right now quite simply has no spine at all . No backbone . The distribution is awful and the willingness to work for each other just does not exist .
      We need some serious thinking both tactically and managerially before the winter sets in and the ground gets heavy .

  • gerrycwmbran says:

    You fail to highlight the BIGGEST problem of all – the team’s loss of confidence in the KEEPER.
    Weidwald was found out in his last games in Germany – and he has certainly been found out at Leeds!
    The bloke is as bad as Rahubka – GET RID NOW before he drags us even lower – the team will magically improve with a Rob Green in goal! (Oh i forgot -we got rid and replaced him with CRAP!)
    GerryCwmbran
    MOT

  • Phil says:

    15 million for woods and never signed a left back and then got rid of rob green 3 games been murdered down right flank goalkeeper who stands their like a rabbit caught up in headlights just a blip no left back a problem till January swopped silvestri for weidwald after Sunday’s performance only said and lassoga could hold their heads up rest a load of cowards and should be bloody ashamed of themselves

Comments are closed.