Mark Jackson has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that his Leeds United development side must ‘learn quicker’ if they want to reach the first-team level after exiting the EFL Trophy.
The Whites lost 5-3 at Salford City on Tuesday night in their final Group B fixture. United’s academy ranks also lost their opening tie at Tranmere Rovers 4-1 in September, but beat Oldham Athletic 3-2. Ending the opening stage of the tournament bottom of their group.
Max Dean opened the scoring before Sam Greenwood and Lewis Bate scored Leeds’ goals at the Peninsula Stadium on Tuesday. But defensive mistakes and difficulties dealing with set-pieces allowed Gary Bowyer’s men to come from behind and seal victory.
Leeds’ youngsters have only kept one clean sheet in their last 16 fixtures in all competitions now. Shutting out Liverpool’s Under-23s in a 4-0 win away to the Reds in September. They have also only won once and drawn once in their last six, conceding 17 goals to 10 scored.
Jackson urges Leeds prospects to show improvement
Jackson has now called on his development side to show improvements in Leeds’ next fixtures if they want to reach the first-team level. Noting how the Whites’ academy coaches had highlighted areas of Salford’s game they were able to impose themselves through.
“From a defensive point of view, there is no hiding away from it. We’re too open,” Jackson said. “We give too many chances to the opposition. They have to take on information that we give them.
“The goals we conceded tonight came from areas we highlighted to the players beforehand. One thing I’ll take from it is that there is lots to learn for these players. That’s important. They have to learn.
“They have to learn quicker. If they want to knock on the door above and they want to progress, then they have to start learning. The higher you go, the more you get punished.”
Salford display cause for concern in Leeds’ academy?
Jackson will be determined to amend Leeds’ woeful defensive record as soon as possible in the U23s’ next fixtures. Mistakes at the back are costing the Whites’ academy ranks heavily and saw their EFL Trophy hopes end early.
Leeds’ youngsters particularly struggled with the physicality and experience that Bowyer’s League Two Salford have. Impacting Charlie Cresswell’s display at the Peninsula Stadium – despite impressing in the first-team recently – with the 19-year-old left with too much.
Salford dragged Cresswell out of position as he sought to cover other areas to exploit space in the Leeds’ box. Teammate Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen also tried to limit the Ammies, but their physicality was too much for the 17-year-old.
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