Leeds United defending “not good enough” at Nottingham Forest, claims Dean Ashton

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The former Norwich and West Ham striker thinks the Whites losing defensive headers against the Reds isn’t adequate for a Championship leader.

One aspect of Leeds United’s defending in their 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest was “not good enough”, according to one pundit.

Former Norwich and West Ham striker Dean Ashton was speaking about the Championship game at the City Ground on New Year’s Day on Quest TV’s EFL highlights show.

Despite going a man down after Kalvin Phillips’ dismissal, the Whites were able to go from 1-0 down to 2-1 up by the 64-minute mark of the match in Nottingham.

However, the Reds struck back through Jack Colback’s second of the game, plus further goals from Daryl Murphy and Ben Osborn, to claim all three points against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

The game marked the second time that Leeds have shipped four goals this season, after the 4-1 loss at West Bromwich Albion in November.

Although Ashton praised the Elland Road outfit’s fighting spirit and determination, he suggested that some flaws at the back should not be there given they’re first in the league.

“It showed Leeds’s fighting spirit that they were down to 10 men yet still able to play,” said the 35-year-old. “Still able to throw so many players forward, that’s where their joy came from.

“From Leeds’s point of view, for these goals, you’re seeing defensive players losing headers in the box. That’s not good enough, especially when you’re at the top of the league.”

Up next for the Whites is a trip to Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, followed by a Championship home game against Derby County on Friday.