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Alan Shearer reveals what Leeds United were lacking in defeat to Newcastle

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Image for Alan Shearer reveals what Leeds United were lacking in defeat to Newcastle

Leeds United were badly missing someone to make an impact at centre forward during their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday.

That’s according to former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, who feels Leeds struggled to create much of a presence in the opposition box during the game.

It was a disappointing day for Leeds on Saturday as they missed a big chance to claim three vital points in the battle to avoid relegation, after defeat to the Magpies.

Once again, Marcelo Bielsa was forced to name a matchday squad that did not feature Patrick Bamford, with last season’s top scorer absent through injury once again.

In his absence, Leeds enjoyed plenty of possession and territory, but were unable to take advantage in their search for an opening goal.

However, even the introduction of two possible alternatives to Bamford – Tyler Roberts and Joe Gelhardt – in the second half, failed to bring about the breakthrough.

With Illan Meslier then fumbling a late Jonjo Shelvey free kick to hand Newcastle the win, it seems Shearer believes that lack of options up front cost Leeds dear.

Speaking about the game on BBC Radio 5Live, the Premier League’s record goalscorer was quoted by Leeds Live as saying: “Leeds were desperately lacking a centre-forward, they didn’t really have a presence in the box particularly for the first half, but Newcastle had to dig deep for that and dig deep they did.”

You do get the feeling that Shearer’s analysis of Leeds is rather hard to argue with here.

Throughout the vast majority of the season, Bamford’s absence has seen Bielsa’s side struggle to pose the same threat in front of goal that they did during the previous campaign.

That is something that has come back to haunt Leeds in this game, because as good as they were to start with, they didn’t have someone on the pitch to apply that all important finishing touch.

It will therefore be interesting to see whether Leeds look to rectify this by moving for a striker in the final few days of the transfer window, or take a risk on Bamford being back sooner rather than later, and his fitness then holding up.

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UCLan Sports Journalism graduate. Have been working for Leeds All Over since summer 2020, and can only be found writing on Football League World.