Leeds United have conceded five goals in four days against Ipswich Town and Cardiff City – would Liam Bridcutt have made a difference?
Thomas Christiansen instructed his Leeds United side to tighten up after they conceded two sloppy goals in Saturday’s nerve-shredding 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town.
However, it’s fair to say his warning went unheeded as the previously table-topping Whites lost for only the second time this season, going down 3-1 to fellow high-flyers Cardiff City in South Wales on Tuesday night.
Yet, it’s not the fact that Leeds conceded three goals for the first time under Christiansen but the ease in which they did that will concern the manager. Neil Warnock’s side were already two to the good before Liam Cooper was sent off late in the first half, Zohore profiting from an ill-timed Mateusz Klich slip before Hoilett blasted home from range under no pressure from Leeds’ passive midfield.
The third, Hoilett and Zohore combining to give the Danish striker a second, was once again far too straightforward for Leeds’ liking. And, suddenly, you wonder whether the decision to dispense with Liam Bridcutt in the summer could come back to haunt Leeds.
Let go for little
Christiansen lined up with Klich and Kalvin Phillips in central midfield though neither possess Bridcutt’s ball-winning capabilities. The former Brighton star was an influential figure for Garry Monk’s well-drilled outfit last season but was sold to Forest for just £1 million, per the Nottingham Post.
And while Leeds are playing a more adventurous, expansive game plan under Christiansen, a lack of defensive solidity in midfield has certainly contributed as they have now conceded five times in just four days.
There’s no proof to suggest Bridcutt would have halted Cardiff from running riot on Tuesday night but he certainly would have made Leeds a little less vulnerable.
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