Good day for Rodrigo but Newcastle United win is bad day for Leeds United decision makers - YEP 23/1/22
Leeds United suffered one of their worst days of the 2021/22 season at the hands of Newcastle United.
By Graham Smyth
The Magpies, to their credit, soaked up a lot of first half
pressure and then took their chance in the second with Jonjo Shelvey's
free-kick. Eddie Howe's side looked well worth a second goal after that too,
even if they didn't achieve it, but the Whites will be bitterly disappointed to
have lost to such a struggling side by such a goal.
Here's the YEP take on what was an awful day for Marcelo
Bielsa and his team.
Good day
Rodrigo
It might not have been a complete performance but some of
his passing was exquisite and he lasted 90 minutes, which is a huge and
unexpected step forward. It's still unclear, even after so much time, quite
what he is but he's got terrific ability. Leeds should have made more of the
situations created by some of his play in the Newcastle half.
Bad day
Raphinha
In the first half he was dynamite and Newcastle couldn't
cope with him. It was a similar story for some of the second half, but at no
stage could he produce end product and at times his decision-making was off
key. Leeds look to him all the time and at times if he's unable to do it, they
don't look like scoring, which is a worry.
Diego Llorente
The decision to foul Allan Saint Maximin was a poor one. It
might have felt necessary at the time but Struijk appeared to be providing
cover. There are times when Llorente's aggressive defending, which can look
chaotic due to his exaggerated movements, leaves him at the risk of giving away
fouls in dangerous areas.
Illan Meslier
The movement of Fabian Schär towards Jonjo Shelvey's strike
appeared to deceive or distract the Leeds keeper and the ball ended up in the
net. It wasn't his finest moment and nor was the Ryan Fraser cross that crept
through him and had to be cleared from the goalmouth.
Tyler Roberts
He came on to change the game but his major impact was
detrimental to his side. The giveaway that led to Newcastle's counter attack
prior to the goal was as costly as it was needless. Roberts has come in for
criticism that at times has felt way over the top and he has been scapegoated
unfairly, but he won't be happy with that performance. Just didn't seem at it.
Andrea Radrizzani, the 49ers, Angus Kinnear, Victor Orta and
Marcelo Bielsa
If Leeds had won this game and made it three victories on
the bounce, the mounting discontent over a lack of January transfer business
could have, to a certain degree, been waved away. Losing in the manner in which
they did will only heighten the worries in sections of the fanbase. At the
start of the window Kinnear highlighted Bielsa's 'exacting standards' as a
challenge when trying to bring in players. The CEO's latest explanation of
their transfer strategy has logic to it, but it won't wash with a lot of
supporters, especially now. The chase for Brenden Aaronson is a complicated one
to complete, adding to the difficulty facing the Elland Road decision makers.
It's hard to look at the squad and consider if sufficient.
Number of the day
2
This was Newcastle's second win of the Premier League
season. The only other side they have beaten is Burnley. Leeds were staring at
a golden opportunity and it passed them by completely.
Turning point
The hour mark
After that crazy end-to-end phase of play was complete, and
Leeds hadn't managed to kill Newcastle off, they rarely looked capable of it.
Instead the visitors were dangerous on the break and having taken the lead,
should have put the game to bed.