Jody Morris: Leeds United pressing was outstanding but must improve in possession after Crystal Palace defeat
Sky Sports pundit Jody Morris believes that Leeds United must keep the ball better after their 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Whites went down to a 76th-minute strike from Eberechi Eze after taking a first-half lead through Pascal Struijk after fine work from Brenden Aaronson.
Leeds’ high pressing dissipated in the second period and former Chelsea coach Morris feels they should’ve held the ball better in order to recharge and make Palace do some of the running.
Talking on Sky Sports News [16:17, 9 October], Morris said: “The first half was outstanding but if that pressing doesn’t come off it can take two or three players out of the game in one pass.
“When you look back to the Bielsa days that happened all the time but I still think you want more from Leeds when they’re in possession of the ball.
“I felt they need to be better on the ball and make the other team work for it a little bit more, I didn’t see that enough today and the minute their intensity dropped they never had the other side of the game.
“If they want to improve they must get better in possession of the ball.”
Ran out of steam
It was so evident that Leeds completely ran out of steam in the second period and Morris is spot on in his assessment of what should’ve changed for Marsch’s side in the second half.
They had to keep hold of the ball better and make Palace do some of the running. The Whites need to adapt in the second half of games when their pressing will inevitably ease due to the physical constraints that their style of play entails.
The American must also be more astute and forward-thinking in terms of the substitutions that he makes in the second half. He has five changes to utilise and he introduced Joe Gelhardt far too late on in the 84th minute. Willy Gnonot and Gelhardt could’ve come on earlier in the second period to give the Whites’ press a new lease of life.
It’s five games without a win now for Leeds as their away form continues to be a big hindrance to their ambitions in the 2022/23 season. This form has to turn around soon otherwise Leeds could be staring the relegation zone in the face by the time the World Cup starts.
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