Noel Whelan’s instant reaction as Leeds United lose 1-0 at Derby, questions Monk substitutions

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Leeds United lost 1-0 at the iPro Stadium.

Derby’s Jacob Butterfield in action with Leeds’ Hunan O’Kane

Leeds United suffered defeat on their return to football after the international break. The result was disappointing for Garry Monk’s side, who would have felt they did enough to earn a point at the iPro Stadium in Steve McClaren’s return to management with the Rams.

One subject that did surprise many after the game was Leeds’ substitutions in the game. Monk brought on Matt Grimes for Alex Mowatt, Kemar Roofe for Hadi Sacko and Marcus Antonsson for Chris Wood.

Derby’s Alex Pearce in action with Leeds’ Luke Ayling

All three changes were essentially like for like. Speaking instantly after the game former Leeds striker and BBC Radio Leeds pundit Noel Whelan said on the BBC that he was surprised that Wood in particular did not stay on with Antonsson – and that perhaps a plan B formation needs to be considered:

“It is like for like. Striker for striker, winger for winger, midfield for midfield.

“For me, at times like that when you’re going for a game, you’ve got to maybe change and go to a 3-5-2. Really push forward.

Derby’s Ikechi Anya in action with Leeds’ Luke Ayling

“You’ve got all these corners and free-kicks and you’ve got an extra 6ft 3ins player to contend with.

“4-42, if you are really going to go for a game, you’re going to get sucker-punched in the midfield area. A 3-5-2 gives you that little bit of protection. Maybe it’s a plan B they need to work on.”

Many Leeds fans certainly agreed that toward the end of the game, during which Antonsson hit the post, having both the Swedish striker and Wood on the pitch may have been a good idea.

Picture Supplied by Action Images – Chris Wood

But it must be remembered that Wood was on international duty with New Zealand in the USA this week and only returned to training on Friday.

Perhaps on this occasion Monk got things wrong, but may have done things differently if the circumstances were different.