‘Almost unfair’: Leeds standout fails to make an impact in deeper role, journalists claim

Leeds United had a tough day on Saturday as they lost 1-0 to promoted Burnley.    Beren Cross of Leeds Live stated in his opinion column that the second half substitutions added nothing to the contest and focused on one player being fouled.

   In a tie game, Luca Koleosho scored the only goal in the 18th minute to give Burnley a 1-0 lead.    A tight lead was all they needed to win the rest of the game.

   Leeds trailed 1-0 when the second half began and Daniel Farke and his team knew they had to score in the last 45 minutes.    The Whites managed nine shots in the second half, but only two on goal.    Burnley, meanwhile, failed to hit a single shot as they focused on defending their lead.

   Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post did not mince his words, describing the Whites’ second-half performance as “uninspiring”.

   “Desperately poor second half from Leeds, lackluster and uninspiring stuff in front of the parked bus,” wrote Smyth on X.

   Beren Cross: Leeds’ second-half substitutions offered nothing

   Cross noted the same criticism but focused more on the Leeds substitutions that did not change the outcome of the game.    Furthermore, he notes that playing Joël Piroe in a deeper role makes the actor ineffective.

   “The last half hour was really very sloppy,” Cross wrote.    “The substitutions didn’t add anything to the game. Without wanting to scapegoat Joël Piroe, we’re at a stage where it’s almost unfair to him to play creatively.

   “The Dutch striker continues to add nothing to the attack from a deeper role and this is becoming predictable for those watching from the stands. The sight of Piroe in the 68th minute probably didn’t convince many observers to expect him to be a game-changer.”

   Leeds travel to Wales next week to take on Cardiff City as they look to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to Burnley.    With the Whites currently outside the top six, they need an away win to get back on track.

   The three points will be vital to get back into the top six and within two automatic promotion places.