Matthew Pennington played the entire 90 minutes of Leeds’ draw against Bristol City.
Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom will have taken plenty of positives from his side’s second-half display against Bristol City on Sunday afternoon, as the Whites came from behind to draw 2-2 against Bristol City.
Another goal for target man Pierre-Michel Lasogga, a superb display from captain Pablo Hernandez and Vurnon Anita’s performance at right-back was a clear indication that he still has something to offer at Elland Road.
But there were plenty of negatives, too. Felix Wiedwald was at fault for one of the Robins’ early strikes while Eunan O’Kane struggled in the middle of the park again. But the most obvious concern was the display of Matthew Pennington.
The Everton loanee was was below par at centre-back, alongside Pontus Jansson, as he continues to deputise for suspended captain Liam Cooper.
The 23-year-old’s biggest fault was his distribution. With Leeds more than adept at passing the ball around at the back, Pennington received possession plenty of times throughout the match.
But when under any pressure, the defender seemed to panic and would clear the ball long, handing possession back to a side that boast central defenders such as Aden Flint, Bailey Wright and Hörður Björgvin Magnússon.
If he could not find Pierre-Michel Lasogga, it would instead end up in the stands. Possession aside, Pennginton’s performance was still way off the required standard. He was bullied by Famara Diedhiou, and was nowhere to be seen for either goal.
With captain Liam Cooper returning from a ban and now available for Wednesday night’s trip to Derby County, Heckingbottom should have no hesitation in handing the former Chesterfield man a place alongside Jansson once again.
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