Leeds lose in Wales

Leeds United went down to a 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City, as it was an all-round bad day with striker Ross McCormack stretchered off inside five minutes.
McCormack was carried off after a going down under a strong tackle following a surging run.
The Scottish international striker quickly pointed at the Leeds bench and after trying to walk off the pitch, he was eventually stretchered from the field.
Luke Varney replaced McCormack and he had the best chance in the first half for Leeds but his effort was blocked.
In a dour first half, Heidar Helguson had the home side`s best chance but his header cleared the crossbar.
Referee Paul Tierney was struggling to control the game and quite how Jordan Mutch got away without a caution for a high challenge on Lee Peltier was a mystery.
Tommy Smith could also count himself lucky to only receive a yellow card for a two-footed lunge on Sam Byram.
Cardiff started the second half much better. Nicky Maynard had a shot saved by Paddy Kenny and Smith failed to hit the target after finding space at the far post.
Kenny then made another good save at full stretch to deny a Mark Hudson header.
The game changed halfway through the second half when Cardiff brought on the experienced Craig Bellamy.
Within three minutes of coming off the bench, he gave Kenny no chance with a free kick from the edge of the area.
They doubled their lead five minutes later when Peter Whittingham beat Kenny from the penalty spot after Tom Lees had been adjudged to have brought down Maynard.
Maynard was the same player who was also adjudged to have been fouled for the free kick that led to the first goal but both decisions looked harsh has referee Tierney continued to look out of his depth.
Leeds were quickly given a lifeline when Rodolph Austin fired home a free kick from distance.
Kenny made another good save to deny Smith to keep Leeds in the game and Lee Peltier missed a great chance to equalise for Leeds in the closing minutes when he headed over from close range.
Neil Warnock will now try to patch up his small squad, ahead of the game with Hull City at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
Warnock was left disappointed after seeing his side lose 2-1 at Cardiff City.
Leeds were undone twice in the space of five minutes in the second half as Craig Bellamy came off the bench for Cardiff to fire the home side ahead with a free kick. Peter Whittingham added a second soon afterwards from the penalty spot and Warnock put the goals down to the naivety of the side. Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Warnock said, "I am disappointed. The goal is a fantastic strike but our wall was very poor.
"We need to be a little bit more professional in certain departments. We are a little bit naive at times."
In a poor game, the first half saw few chances, with neither goalkeeper forced into a save.
Warnock was also not helped with injuries to striker Ross McCormack and defender Adam Drury in the first half.
Last season`s leading goalscorer Ross McCormack was stretchered off inside five minutes and he looks like facing a spell on the sidelines.
Drury was substituted at half time with a leg injury and he is a doubt for the game with Hull City on Tuesday night.
Warnock was happy with the effort shown by his players and bemoaned more injuries to his small squad. "I think we did well. You cannot fault the effort but we are now struggling injury wise. We have had a few injuries, which will make it difficult for Tuesday and we have to keep going," added Warnock.
Cardiff controlled much of the second half, with Paddy Kenny making a couple of excellent saves, whilst Tommy Smith missed a great chance for the home side.
After going two down, Leeds came back into the game with a well-struck free kick from Rodolph Austin.
Leeds almost salvaged a point late on when Lee Peltier headed over from close range but Warnock could not hide his disappointment. "We came back well and we are disappointed, we could have scored an equaliser late on through Lee Peltier."
The defeat leaves Leeds in ninth place with home games against Hull City and Nottingham Forest in the next seven days.
The championship is once again looking a wide-open league. In ninth place, Leeds are just four points off the top of the table whilst just two points above the relegation places.
Warnock believes striker Ross McCormack will be out for at least two weeks after the striker suffered an ankle injury in the defeat at Cardiff City on Saturday.
McCormack went down under a strong but fair challenge inside three minutes of the 2-1 defeat and quickly gestured to the Leeds bench that he required treatment.
After trying to walk off the pitch, McCormack needed the assistance of a stretcher.
Warnock is hoping that it is not a break but says it is too early to tell at the moment. Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Warnock said, 'Ross has twisted his ankle quite severely. I don't think there is any break, but we can't tell yet because of the swelling. I'd imagine he'll be out for a few weeks."
The news is a blow to Warnock with games coming thick and fast.
He may also have to do without defender Adam Drury for Tuesday night`s game with Hull City at Elland Road.
Drury was forced off at half time with a leg injury and Warnock`s small squad is now being stretched to the limits with Paul Green and David Norris already on the sidelines.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24