The Elland Road legend feels Leeds have had their feathers ruffled ever since the loss to Millwall.
Gary McAllister manager of Leeds United
Leeds United take on Brentford at Elland Road this afternoon, trying to get back to winning ways. The cub are winnless in their last 10 fixtures, a streak stretching back to the 2-1 win against Burton Albion on Boxing Day.
One of those defeats was the 4-3 reverse against Millwall at Elland Road, a game which Leeds threw away in the final minutes and were reduced to ten men in.
Now, a Leeds United legend has pinpointed that game as the moment Leeds’ season started to come apart.
Pablo Hernandez of Leeds United holds his hands on his head after they concede v Millwall
Gary McAllister, who won the First Division title during his spell as a Leeds player and also briefly managed the club, was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds yesterday when he explained how he felt Leeds were bullied in that game, and that teams are now following that blueprint:
“Obviously I’ve seen the goals and from the wee bit I’ve heard they got a wee bit bullied at Millwall. Maybe ruffled a little bit?
“From there it seems teams have taken that on board. They seem to have just been overrun a wee bit.
“There’s a lack of confidence, a lack of results and pressure at Elland Road (as) always and it’s just drifted away a wee bit.”
Undoubtedly Leeds have not been as stern defensively as they were last season under Garry Monk and as for being ruffled, that is without doubt. Leeds have a terrible disciplinary record this season and have received several red cards – with suspensions at times decimating areas of the team.
Gary McAllister of Leeds
Such form and lack of discipline eventually cost Thomas Christiansen his job at Elland Road, with former Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom replacing him in West Yorkshire.
McAllister, who played 294 times for Leeds in a memorable six season spell, went on to reveal his hope that the new manager can turn things around for the club:
“There’s been a change in manager and hopefully Paul (Heckingbottom) can get it going.”
Leeds will once again need to keep their wits about them as Brentford, on their day, are one of the toughest opponents in the Championship.
The signs so far have been good from the new boss and hopefully he can secure his first win as Leeds manager this afternoon.
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