Leeds United left Chris Waddle fuming as they visited Newcastle United on Saturday. Jesse Marsch’s squad’s ‘absolutely woeful’ defending from set pieces enraged the England icon.
Waddle lamented the Elland Road natives’ efforts during the first half at St James’ Park as the Magpies regularly went close to scoring. But Newcastle returned to the dressing rooms level with Leeds at 0-0. Even if Waddle felt the Toon could have been 3-0 up at the interval.
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Leeds travelled to Tyneside desperate to return to winning ways after losing to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City on either side of the World Cup. Marsch’s men had also only won two of their last 12 top-flight fixtures. And a win appeared questionable at the break.
Newcastle had threatened to break Leeds’ spirits with Kieran Trippier’s deliveries from set pieces pulling the Whites apart. The Toon looked dangerous whenever the full-back stood over a dead ball with his free-kick and corner expertise able to find black-and-white shirts.
Marsch would have been grateful as Sven Botman could only prod a shot straight into Illan Meslier’s chest. Fabian Schar also turned his header just wide of the far post from another of Trippier’s pin-point corners. But there could be no delight at the number of their shots.
Waddle slams Leeds’ ‘woeful’ defending from set pieces at Newcastle
Waddle felt Leeds’ first-half performance at Newcastle showed why Marsch’s squad have been so bad at defending set pieces this season. Before kick-off on Tyneside, six of the 29 goals the Whites had allowed had come from set-pieces (plus a penalty), per WhoScored.
“The marking was absolutely woeful,” Waddle said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “There were two Newcastle players queuing up and they should have hit the target at least. You can see why Leeds have leaked goals on set pieces this season.”
The former England winger added: “From the last three set pieces, Newcastle should be 3-0 up. What are Leeds doing? You’ve got to mark a man, all they do is mark space. There’s not one of them who wants to attack the ball and head it.”
Only five Premier League teams had conceded more often from set pieces than Leeds this term before the Whites faced Newcastle. AFC Bournemouth had allowed the most with 10 before hosting Crystal Palace. Aston Villa, who play Tottenham on Sunday, have let in nine.
Marsch will know Leeds cannot ride their luck whilst defending set pieces like at Newcastle to remain in the Premier League. The threat of relegation is looming large at Elland Road.
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