First team

Leeds win first pre-season match as frailties are made clear

|
Image for Leeds win first pre-season match as frailties are made clear

It was a comfortable first pre-season win for Thomas Christiansen, and despite a second half fightback from Harrogate Town, Leeds came out 4-2 winners at Thorp Arch.

The new United manager fielded two completely different sides with each playing 45 minutes. The new signings Mateusz Klich, Felix Wiedwald and Madger Gomes all made their debuts, with the latter scoring in the first half with a neat finish from a low cross. Leeds’ other scorers were Kemar Roofe who bagged from the penalty spot, Pablo Hernandez and Lee Erwin.

It was a day of trying and testing for Christiansen. Leeds had no Pontus Jansson, Eunan O’Kane and Chris Wood which meant the squad looked a lot weaker than it usually would. All of the fringe players were given a run-out, the likes of Giuseppe Bellusci, Toumani Diagouraga – who played as a centre-back – and Lee Erwin all featured, players who are probably going to be on their way this summer.

It’s hard to judge from a game like this especially when you change the whole line-up after 45 minutes but pre-season is all about fitness. The game certainly seemed to show our weaknesses though, espeically at the back in the second half. The squad certainly needs improving but we have a good base to build on.

Next up for Christiansen and his troops is Guiseley away followed by North Ferriby United before Leeds depart on their Austrian tour.

Leeds first-half XI: Green, O’Connor, Diagouraga, Cooper, Denton, Gomes, Bridcutt, Klich, Roofe, Doukara, Antonsson.

Leeds second-half XI: Wiedwald, Ayling, P. McKay, Bellusci, Berardi, Dallas, Phillips, Vieira, Sacko, Hernandez, Erwin.

Share this article

0 comments

  • Tim says:

    About four more additions will complete the squad but we need them sooner rather than later.
    Last season we were twice fixated on Ashley Fletcher to the point where there was no plan B when he signed for West Ham as we blew it and then they wouldn’t loan him out to us but we kept hanging on.

  • FRED says:

    O’Connor was brought in on a free transfer towards the end of last season and is O.K. as an inexperienced back-up central defender, but Leeds currently only have two experienced full backs and two experienced central defenders at the moment and really need to sign two central defenders and a left back, as soon as possible, because the entire defensive department is absolutely paper thin.

  • jackie says:

    Limerick O’ Connor = Pontuss * 10

Comments are closed.