Leeds United v Cardiff City: Angry Redfearn berates United after Bluebirds loss
Yorkshire Evening Post 11/4/15
UNHAPPY Leeds United head coach Neil Redfearn was highly critical of his side’s efforts as their horror run against Cardiff City continued as the Welshmen triumphed 2-1 at Elland Road.
A 62nd-minute strike from Aron Gunnarsson following woeful defending from United earned the spoils for Cardiff, who extended their unbeaten sequence against Leeds to 17 matches.
Earlier, an almost identikit strike to Cardiff’s winner saw them go in front when they cashed in on poor defence from a Peter Whittingham corner to take the lead, courtesy of Sean Morrison’s close-range goal on 14 minutes.
Leeds levelled within three minutes with a sweet goal on his home debut from teenager Kalvin Phillips, but that was the one crumb of consolation on a poor day for United, who slumped to a third straight defeat with their second-half performance bringing boos from disappointed home supporters at the final whistle.
Head coach Redfearn, offering no excuses and believing that frustrated supporters had every right to voice their feelings at the final whistle, said: “I thought we were poor.
“We probably had more possession than them, but didn’t really do anything with it.
“I thought our passing was laboured and as the game wore on, it was littered with mistakes and it was difficult to explain really.
“The one thing we have been is tight at the back with (Giuseppe) Bellusci and (Sol) Bamba. They have been rocks at the back and we haven’t made many mistakes.
“But today, we seemed all at sea. Taking nothing away from Cardiff, I bet they couldn’t believe their luck.
“We talked about being positive and front foot and getting the tempo right and getting up the pitch and playing the level and we started okay. But then for some reason, we took our foot off the gas.
“I thought when we got to 1-1 that we can’t play that bad again in the second half. But it proved me wrong - we did.
“I got into them (at half-time). I thought one or two needed a rocket, but it needed doing as I thought we were poor and off the pace.
“I didn’t think we competed well enough and made bad decisions.
“But we have got to pick ourselves because if we play like that against Norwich, we will be in trouble. We have got to find some level of consistency again and go and compete and try and get a result.
“It’s a really tough game and they are fighting to get promoted and if we are not playing to our potential, it will be a difficult night.
“It’s a test of character and we will see what we have got under their shirts because it is important for the club and supporters.
“They will stick with it for so long, but they won’t wear that (sort of performance) and I fully agree with them.”
UNHAPPY Leeds United head coach Neil Redfearn was highly critical of his side’s efforts as their horror run against Cardiff City continued as the Welshmen triumphed 2-1 at Elland Road.
A 62nd-minute strike from Aron Gunnarsson following woeful defending from United earned the spoils for Cardiff, who extended their unbeaten sequence against Leeds to 17 matches.
Earlier, an almost identikit strike to Cardiff’s winner saw them go in front when they cashed in on poor defence from a Peter Whittingham corner to take the lead, courtesy of Sean Morrison’s close-range goal on 14 minutes.
Leeds levelled within three minutes with a sweet goal on his home debut from teenager Kalvin Phillips, but that was the one crumb of consolation on a poor day for United, who slumped to a third straight defeat with their second-half performance bringing boos from disappointed home supporters at the final whistle.
Head coach Redfearn, offering no excuses and believing that frustrated supporters had every right to voice their feelings at the final whistle, said: “I thought we were poor.
“We probably had more possession than them, but didn’t really do anything with it.
“I thought our passing was laboured and as the game wore on, it was littered with mistakes and it was difficult to explain really.
“The one thing we have been is tight at the back with (Giuseppe) Bellusci and (Sol) Bamba. They have been rocks at the back and we haven’t made many mistakes.
“But today, we seemed all at sea. Taking nothing away from Cardiff, I bet they couldn’t believe their luck.
“We talked about being positive and front foot and getting the tempo right and getting up the pitch and playing the level and we started okay. But then for some reason, we took our foot off the gas.
“I thought when we got to 1-1 that we can’t play that bad again in the second half. But it proved me wrong - we did.
“I got into them (at half-time). I thought one or two needed a rocket, but it needed doing as I thought we were poor and off the pace.
“I didn’t think we competed well enough and made bad decisions.
“But we have got to pick ourselves because if we play like that against Norwich, we will be in trouble. We have got to find some level of consistency again and go and compete and try and get a result.
“It’s a really tough game and they are fighting to get promoted and if we are not playing to our potential, it will be a difficult night.
“It’s a test of character and we will see what we have got under their shirts because it is important for the club and supporters.
“They will stick with it for so long, but they won’t wear that (sort of performance) and I fully agree with them.”
