‘All-time low’ – Beckford says one thing staggered him about Leeds in FA Cup defeat
Jermaine Beckford has admitted he was shocked at how poorly Leeds United performed in the second half of their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Monday night.
Reiss Nelson’s close-range goal was enough to book the Gunners’ spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup but the game could have turned out a lot more different had Leeds taken their chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men were well on top and had chance after chance to get on the scoresheet but just lacked that bit of cutting edge that could have made the difference.
Still, it was a performance that has left Leeds fans hopeful because to hold their own for large periods of the game against Premier League opposition is a good sign as to how the rest of their Championship might go.
Despite the positives, ex-Leeds striker Beckford was worried by what he saw from his former club after the half time break.
“Everything in the first half they were on the front foot, they were putting pressure on absolutely every player, they were getting bodies forward, they were getting shots off,” said Beckford on BBC One’s Match of the Day Live after the match on Monday night.
“In the second half they didn’t quite seem to be doing the same things as in the first half. It looked like the intensity was at an all-time low.
“That’s the worst I’ve seen Leeds this season in the second half.
“It was quite surprising to see that.”
Beckford can’t have watched much of his former club this season if he thinks that second-half performance was the worst he has seen all season.
What about the 3-3 draw with Cardiff? Leeds were three goals ahead with 30 minutes to go before collapsing to a draw.
Leeds were not great in the second half against Arsenal but that could have been more down to the hosts pulling their finger out rather than the Whites’ performance actually dropping.
According to stats by WhoScored, Leeds had 18 shots at goal against Arsenal but only three of those came after the interval.
Bielsa will notice all of this and you can bet that he will be working hard on it over the coming days ahead of the clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
In other Leeds United news, Andrea Radrizzani has sent a message to fans after the 1-0 defeat in London.