Daniel Farke told to ‘stop the rot’ as Micah Richards shares Leeds United promotion verdict
Micah Richards has told Leeds United to “stop the rot” in defence if they want to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.
Daniel Farke’s side got their Championship campaign up and running with a chaotic 3-3 draw against Portsmouth at Elland Road on Saturday (10 August) as Brendan Aaronson scored a late equaliser.
While the Whites once again impressed in possession, they conceded several “sloppy goals” and Richards believes Farke will have to stop that if he wants to finish in the top two.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football (12 August, 21:55) he said: “I think Leeds, the way they play it’s aggressive, it’s very attacking.
“I watched the highlights of the game yesterday and they’re dominating the game in the early parts of it and then they just give away sloppy, sloppy goals.
“They had a chance to win it to make it 4-3 in the last kick of the game, Aaronson again went in one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he just slotted it wide of the post.
“I think if Leeds can stop the rot at the back, I think Leeds will do it.”
Are Leeds United close to any new signings in the summer transfer window?
On paper, this current Leeds United backline is up there with one of, if not, the best in the Championship currently. But their display against Portsmouth on Saturday was full of errors that shouldn’t be made.
After such an impressive loan spell at Elland Road last term, Joe Rodon didn’t look anywhere near his usual levels while both Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo were caught out on a couple of occasions.
Partner that with a shaky display from Illan Meslier between the posts and it was just far too easy for John Mousinho’s side to score three goals at Elland Road. Even the most diehard of Pompey fans will admit they weren’t great on Saturday.
So much of the talk heading into the final weeks of the transfer window has been around replacing Crysencio Summerville after his move to West Ham, but the Whites may need to address their defensive issues as well.
In other Leeds United news, a new Championship club are reportedly considering a move for Liam Cooper after his Elland Road exit
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