Leeds United suffered another defeat on Saturday in what Neil Redfearn says was a “tired” performance.
Neil Redfearn has told Radio Yorkshire that Leeds United’s “tired” performance against Reading on Saturday could be linked to the influx of foreign talent who are struggling to get to grips with the Championship.
Leeds lost 1-0 at home to the Royals for what was a third straight league defeat for Thomas Christiansen’s side.
The Whites looked a different side to the one which thumped Burton Albion 5-0 in September as United struggled for creativity in the final third and did not fashion many goalscoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga, in particular, had a difficult afternoon as the spearhead of Leeds’ attack and only managed 12 touches in 77 minutes on the weekend.
He told Radio Yorkshire: “I think there’s a lot of players there who are new to the Championship and it’s a new experience for them.
“Maybe it’s catching up with Leeds a little bit – I don’t know – but I just thought the performance looked tired.”
Redfearn is right in the sense that it was a sluggish performance but you can’t blame the new boys.
Seven of their 11 first-team additions had never kicked a ball in English football before joining the club, but only two of Leeds’ 10 outfield players on Saturday – Samu Saiz and Lasogga – weren’t at the club last season.
The likes of Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez – who missed a last-minute penalty – were unable to influence things in behind the German striker.
The West Yorkshire side visit Bristol City next time out.
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