Jermaine Beckford bemoaned Leeds United’s lack of quality in the final third during their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
The Whites got into a number of good positions in the first half but through either poor finishing or the wrong decision, failed to take advantage of a positive opening 45 minutes.
That has been a constant theme throughout the season for Leeds, scoring just eight goals in their opening nine Premier League matches, when at this stage last season, they had already netted 14.
Summer signing Daniel James was particularly guilty of passing up some decent opportunities in the first half, first failing to control Diego Llorente’s raking long ball, before then opting against putting Rodrigo through on goal minutes before half time.
And speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Beckford believes that the Whites are still matching last season’s intensity, but their incisiveness in attack has dropped off a level.
He said: “Intensity wise it was right up there, quality-wise in the final third especially not quite there. That has been one of the main issues for Leeds United this season.
“Getting into the final third, creating opportunities has not really been anything to worry about but having some at the right place at the right time to put the ball in the back of the net you have to be more relentless and ruthless in front of goal especially at this level.
“They’ve missed key players and they do make an impact on sides with smaller squads so in terms of getting the right players fit at the right times and being able to show the quality on the field is the next step in Leeds United’s evolution under Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League.”
