Mark Smith

Mon 18 November 2019 15:12, UK

By Mark Smith at Thorp Arch

It wasn’t an afternoon for fair-weather Leeds United fans at Thorp Arch on Monday afternoon. 

The sun was out but it was blisteringly cold, although the Leeds Under23s did their best to lift the temperature with some impressive football.

The 2-0 win – with goals from Jordan Stevens and Ryan Edmondson – against a spirited Barnsley side was just what Carlos Corberan would have wanted following the 7-1 thumping by Derby in midweek.

It was a strong starting XI too, with Barry Douglas and Pablo Hernandez playing the first 45 minutes, and Gaetano Berardi coming on for the second half.

There were some strong performances across the Leeds Under-23 side – here are our MOT ratings:

Kamil Miazek – 5
Made some good saves in the first half but let himself down with some poor distribution in key areas more than once. With the trouble facing Casilla, Bielsa won’t have been impressed.

Barry Douglas – 7
Douglas was his usual calm self in possession, worked well down the left-hand side and got forward effectively.

Bryce Hosannah – 7
A constant threat when overlapping Hernandez, beat his man with ease in the final third. Looked impressive and great to see him back from injury.

Olly Casey – 6
A quiet afternoon for the defender, who won his battles and was rarely beaten.

Pascal Struijk – 5
Once again disappointing when squared up by his man, showed them the inside regularly and needs to tighten up. Almost scored and was unlucky as his header was cleared off the line.

Charlie Cresswell – 9
The standout man for Leeds today. Talking for the full game and leading by example by dominating the Barnsley attack.

Jordan Stevens – 8
A much better afternoon for Stevens. The winger was everywhere and deservedly grabbed a goal in the second half with a cool finish.

Jack Jenkins – 8
Filled in very well for McCalmont. Was strong in the tackle and burst into the final third with pace on the ball all afternoon.

Pablo Hernandez – 7
After a quiet start he was back to his usual self. The Spaniard controlled the game before being subbed at half time.

Liam McCarron – 6
Got into good positions but often played the wrong ball. There were a number of occasions where he should have fired a low ball across but instead played it over everyone.

Ryan Edmondson – 7
Physical all game but isolated for the majority of the time when chasing the ball down. He took his goal well but that is all he did in the end.

Substitutes

Niall Huggins – 7
The standout sub – tricky and full of pace, he beat his man with ease on the right-hand side.

Robbie Gotts – 6
Filling in at left-back, he got forward well but never asserted his strength off the ball.

Gaetano Berardi – 6
Brought a cool head at the back when needed, led his young defence home with his no-nonsense attitude.

In other Leeds United news: Paul Robinson – It’s inevitable that Leeds loanee will be recalled in January