Gabby Agbonlahor has told talkSPORT that Leeds United have a top talent in Raphinha, but will be in a relegation battle this season until Marcelo Bielsa finds defensive improvements.
The Whites’ wait for a first win of the term continued on Saturday after West Ham enjoyed a come-from-behind win. Raphinha broke the deadlock after 19-minutes when he curled a left-footed shot home. But a second-half turnaround saw all three points leave Elland Road.
Junior Firpo inadvertently sent the ball into his own net, before Declan Rice found Michail Antonio in stoppage-time to score. West Ham continually played on Leeds’ vulnerability to counter-attacks, with repeated attempts to run at Bielsa’s side.
Attack was Leeds’ go-to form of defence on Saturday, as it has been since Bielsa’s arrival in West Yorkshire. Yet it left them susceptible to be hit on the break, as West Ham bided their time for an opening. Eventually, seeing a crack in Jamie Shackleton in the 90th-minute.
Agbonlahor voices Leeds relegation fears
Leeds’ failure to take a point against West Ham left Bielsa’s side in the bottom-three of the Premier League table. The Whites have taken just three points – from three draws – over their opening six games of the season. They also boast one of the worst defensive records.
Only basement boys Norwich City have conceded (16) more than Leeds (14) and Newcastle (14) so far. The Canaries are also the only top-flight side with a worse goal-difference than the Whites at minus-14 to minus-eight. They have only scored twice so far to Leeds’ six.
Agbonlahor firmly believes that Leeds will remain in a relegation fight until Bielsa corrects for the Whites’ poor defensive form. Even if the Elland Road outfit have fantastic attacking players and a brilliant style of offensive play.
“Going forward, they were incredible. Raphinha was outstanding,” he said. “But you need to be able to defend to get results in the Premier League. It’s not all about running forward and leaving two-for-two like they did with Michail Antonio.
“It’s kamikaze defending week-in, week-out. West Ham had 20 shots. It’s boring when I hear people say it’s entertaining. If I’m a Leeds fan, I want to be entertained but I also want to stay in the league.
“Leeds are in a relegation battle now. The way they’re playing, the way they concede goals… When you’re 1-0 up, find a way to win the game. When it’s 1-1, find a way to get a point out of the game. They’re in a relegation battle, whether they like it or not.”
Does Bielsa need to change his style?
Leeds can produce fabulous moments of attacking play under Bielsa, but their defensive problems are proving costly. Injuries and suspensions have not helped the situation, either, with three of their four senior centre-backs unavailable on Saturday.
Bielsa unleashed academy prospect Charlie Cresswell beside Liam Cooper to address the issue and the youngster performed well. But the Argentine’s attack first style left him – and goalkeeper Illan Meslier – with more work than they may have needed.
Even with Raphinha frightening West Ham’s defence in the early stages. The Brazilian, whom Agbonlahor praises, had the Hammers on their heels with every imposing touch at first. His menacing efforts saw one shot hit the post before scoring his third of the term.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
