Here is your Leeds United morning digest for Monday, November 9.
Leeds missed summer signing in back-to-back defeats
Leeds United were undoubtedly impacted by the absence of Rodrigo in their defeats against Leicester City and Crystal Palace.
Both games resulted in 4-1 losses for the Whites, the most recent of which came at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
And though the focus has been on Leeds’ defensive issues, there was a noticeable lack of creativity at the other end of the pitch.
Losing Rodrigo, who is currently self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, has proved a big blow, particularly given how effective he was playing behind Patrick Bamford in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City, and the even more impressive 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
The Whites will hope to have the Spaniard back in action after the international break.
Crouch backs Leeds to continue scoring
Former England striker Peter Crouch admits he “wouldn’t mind” playing in Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds team.
The Whites have lost successive games 4-1 in the Premier League after a promising start.
But Crouch has praised Leeds’ attacking players, despite the defensive struggles over the last couple of weeks.
“They're fantastic players I think, Harrison down the left hand side and Costa as well,” Crouch said.
"I think a lot of it is geared up for Bamford to score, to be honest. As long as you're winning games you don't mind.
"I was at the game at Villa, and him and Harrison were a threat all evening, they really were, and Bamford took his goal so well.
"But the supply was fantastic so I wouldn't mind playing up front in this Leeds team.”
Bielsa given ‘reality check’ after Palace defeat
Darren Bent says Leeds were given a reality check in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.
The result saw Bielsa’s side, who have now conceded the most goals in the Premier League, drop down to 15th in the standings.
But Bent has backed the manager to make the necessary changes.
“They’re looking a little bit leaky. Sometimes it’s one of those things, it’s a blip. We know Leeds are going to be OK,” the former striker told Football Insider.
“The way they play with how hard they work, I fully expect them to be OK.
“I think it’s just maybe a little bit of a reality check. You can’t just turn up and just do what you want to do and walk it.
"Sometimes you have to be a little bit cautious. We know Bielsa, he’s a genius. I can’t see them playing so recklessly again.”
