Tim Sherwood was critical of Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk for the part they played in Brennan Johnson’s goal during Leeds United’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Premier League-winning captain added that he has ‘no idea why’ Ayling started to look towards his goalkeeper – Illan Meslier – as the action involving Johnson’s goal was unfolding.
He was also critical of Struijk’s ‘very, very poor’ header, which landed into the Forest star’s path on the edge of the area following a free-kick, and at the first time of asking, he arrowed it into the bottom corner to score the only goal of the game.
At that moment in time, Jesse Marsch would have been pulling his hair out because Leeds were the dominant team during that first half period.
But, just like Aston Villa a number of weeks ago, they couldn’t put away their chances, nor remain composed inside the penalty area, with Luis Sinisterra missing from point-blank range.
Nonetheless, there was also some controversy involved in the build-up to Forest’s opening goal, with Sherwood understanding Leeds’ frustrations, as he told Premier League Productions (05/02/23 at 2:55 pm).
On the offside call before the free-kick: “It’s very tight, but I think it’s an easy decision. It’s a diagonal pass. I can understand why (Leeds being unhappy) because Johnson is in an offside position.
“That is never a booking. It’s a foul. Why I say it’s easy is because the assistant is on this side, so it’s easy to see Johnson in an offside position. But it’s very, very tight and they have to defend it better.
“Once it’s given against you. Get your concentration and make sure you don’t concede cheaply. But Ayling at the back post, I have no idea, he can see Brennan Johnson there, that’s perfect, then he takes a look towards his goalkeeper, I have no idea why he did that and now he has to get ten yards.
“He drops off Brennan Johnson. Anticipates the header out. Struijk’s header is very, very poor. Too much room for him, but the execution is fantastic.”
LEEDS’ LACK OF CUTTING EDGE
Another trip to the Midlands for the Yorkshire giants and the same old problems for Leeds.
At Villa Park a number of weeks ago, they fell behind to a very early Leon Bailey goal but proceeded to dominate the first half of action.
Just like the first 45 minutes against Forest today, the Whites had chances against Villa where they simply had to score, but didn’t.
In the end, it proved to be costly because, whilst the performances in both matches were outstanding, the points read zero and that’s the big issue Marsch can’t seem to overcome.
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