Leeds United trio torn to shreds by Sky Sports pundit v Middlesbrough – ‘Shocking’
Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe was furious with the Leeds United defending in their Carabao Cup defeat to Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.
Leeds fell to an embarrassing 3-0 loss at Elland Road with Anfernee Dijksteel, Delano Burgzorg and Josh Coburn all scoring in the second half.
Daniel Farke’s side failed to cope with the directness of the away side with Hinchcliffe accusing the Whites of standing off Boro too much after Dijksteel scored the first goal of the game.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event on Wednesday night (09:10pm, 14 April), Hinchcliffe said: “They deserve it. They’ve been controlling the game and then just stepped up the tempo and the urgency. Leeds just stepped off Middlesbrough.
“Once Dijksteel drifts infield, the Leeds defenders and midfielders are just watching him carry the ball into the most dangerous area. Then, he does the right thing, on his weaker left foot he just passes it into the bottom-left corner.
“The lack of pressure on the ball and the defending from Leeds is shocking here.”
Hinchcliffe later singled out Junior Firpo, Joe Rodon and Joe Rothwell for failing to defend the goal.
Leeds United dumped out of Carabao Cup early
Farke has a lot of work to do before the transfer window closes because Leeds’ first two performances of the season have been sub-par.
They’ve conceded three goals and drawn with a newly-promoted Portsmouth and then gone and conceded three more and lost to Middlesbrough, a team who could be in the hunt for promotion this season.
What made it worse was that both of these performances were at home.
Leeds’ defence is arguably the strongest part of their squad with Rodon now a permanent member of the side alongside the likes of Max Wober and Pascal Struijk.
But they absolutely fell apart at the back against Boro and offered very little going forward.
Leeds have made a lot of money this summer so while they will have one eye on PSR, they do need to reinvest some of the Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville cash back into the side, potentially in the midfield area.
In other Leeds United news, a player was spotted with the Leeds squad against Middlesbrough for the first time since 2022.
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Patrick Bamford in 2/10 shocker – Leeds United player ratings v Middlesbrough
Leeds United have crashed out of the Carabao Cup after a 3-0 defeat against Middlesbrough at Elland Road on 14 August.
The Whites have been chucked out of the cup in the first round after Michael Carrick’s team ripped them apart in the second half.
After a first half where neither side could work out the other, the away team came to life with three quickfire goals.
Anfernee Dijksteel wandered through the Leeds defence before slotting home the opener leaving Karl Darlow with no chance.
Ten minutes later, Delano Burgzorg grabbed a second for Boro before Josh Coburn latched onto a rebound inside the area to make it three.
Defensive shambles for Leeds United
Karl Darlow – 3
The 33-year-old will have expected better from himself on his first appearance of the season. Conceding three will have been greatly frustrating although he was often hung out to dry by the defence in front of him. He will have been disappointed to palm a shot straight into the path of Coburn to score their third. Darlow could have been much better but wasn’t completely at fault for all the goals.
Sam Byram – 3
Byram was hooked by Daniel Farke among five changes which almost sums up his performance. He played a part in the terrible defensive showing on the night and did himself no favours in competition for his role with Jaden Bogle.
Joe Rodon – 3
It is a similar story for the Wales international as everyone else in the defence. Rodon just wasn’t good enough and was caught far too high up the pitch on multiple occasions which allowed Boro to create chances in the second half with ease. He is much better than what he showed on the night.
Max Wober – 3
Another player who was hooked by Farke who was not good enough on the night. Leeds fans aren’t sold on the Austrian and he hasn’t done himself any favours by this performance.
Junior Firpo – 3
Also taken off on 64 minutes, Firpo is also much better than what he showed. There was a lack of defensive output and he didn’t do very much going forward. Isaiah Jones had a field day and made it look very easy up against the ex-Barcelona man.
Ethan Ampadu – 5
The Welshman was forced into the backline to cover what had been a shambolic defensive performance. His midfield showing was nothing to shout about as he was often hung out to dry and isolated by his teammates. He was combative in the centre of the park but was let down by those around him.
Joe Rothwell – 5
Like Amadu, Rothwell wasn’t helped out by those around him and was all at sea every time the Middlesbrough attack broke forward at pace. For his first Elland Road start, the Bournemouth loanee would have wanted more and so would Leeds fans.
Patrick Bamford has stinker v Middlebrough
Brenden Aaronson – 3
Ironically, Aaronson won the most tackles of the match while losing the most duels. His attacking play was poor and he was weak on the ball, something he is often criticised for. The USMNT star needs to improve because Leeds fans are growing frustrated with him already. It was little surprise to see him hooked amongst the five substitutes.
Joel Piroe – 4
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