Leeds United drew 0-0 with Preston North End yesterday.
Neil Redfearn has told TV Yorkshire that Leeds United duo Pablo Hernandez and Ezgjan Alioski were targeted by a physical Preston North End yesterday.
Preston held the Whites to a frustrating 0-0 draw as Leeds failed to break down their 10-man opponents, who had Ben Pearson sent off with half-an-hour to go.
It was something of a damp squib for United who had 32,000 fans in attendance but the hosts struggled to give them much to shout about in a game of few chances.
Chris Wood and Alioski both spurned good opportunities in an otherwise dull affair in regards to goal-mouth action, and former Leeds boss Redfearn believes that the Macedonia international and Hernandez were intentionally targeted to blunt United’s attacking quality.
He told TV Yorkshire: “I think Preston came to put Leeds to the sword. You could see that. They were quite physical with Leeds, particularly Alioski and Hernandez, the players who they thought would unlock the door.
“The referee was quite lenient at times with some of the tackling, but it’s part of the game. It’s a physical game and you’ve got to be able to cope with that.”
Thomas Christiansen’s side have the chance to atone for this missed opportunity on Tuesday when they host Fulham at Elland Road.
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