Pundit exasperated by Leeds United implosions, fears for players’ mentality in Brentford clash
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson is exasperated with the recent Leeds United habit of dropping themselves deep in trouble early in games they need points from.
In consecutive defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea, early deficits were compounded with needless red cards for Luke Ayling and Dan James respectively.
Now, with just a single game left as the team fights to avoid relegation against Brentford on the final day, Robinson has fears about the mentality of the players ahead of the clash.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News he said: “Well it’s the same story for two games. The two early sendings off, and two early goals conceded.
“It’s a tough enough task as it is down there without having to fight an uphill battle from the first 20 minutes.
“When you’re in that situation you talk in the dressing room, the manager talks, you talk among players.
“Your initial aim is to keep it tight for 20 minutes to stay in the game, and make it difficult for the opponent.
“Make sure you’re still in the game after 20 minutes to half an hour and you haven’t conceded. That’s the first aim, not to concede in the first 20 minutes.
“But Leeds have done the complete opposite of that in recent times, and they’ve made it very difficult for themselves.
“The Brentford game is a one-off game. They have got the quality in the team to win that game. They have got the ability to battle and grind out a result.
“But the complexion of that game has completely changed due to the magnitude of that game.
“You don’t know what the pressure’s going to do to some of these players.
“Most of these players have never been in a situation like this, and it’s going to be a really big ask.
“But I think they’ve got the quality and the ability to do it, it’s whether they’ve got the mindset and the mentality on the day, and the manager sets them up the right way.”
Jesse Marsch has made a big point of remaining positive no matter what, yet serious questions have to be asked of the pair who put the side at such a disadvantage in recent games.
The players have shown an ability to fight in adversity during the relegation battle, and the late, late equaliser against Brighton last time out demonstrated it once again.
That point has given them a slim chance of survival, but if they could turn it on without backing themselves into a massive corner against the Bees on Sunday (22 May) the chances of staying in the top flight would be significantly boosted.
In other Leeds United news, a Sky pundit has branded one Whites star an “absolute disgrace” for his behaviour amid the turmoil as he nears the Elland Road exit.