Leeds United: Sam Byram accuses Blackburn Rovers of ‘wasting time from the start of the game’
Leeds United defender Sam Byram has slammed Blackburn Rovers for timewasting after they won 1-0 at Elland Road.
The Championship’s leading scorer Sammie Szmodics netted his 24th goal of the season in the 82nd minute to condemn the Whites to a damaging defeat in their pursuit of an automatic promotion place.
Byram was scathing in his assessment of Blackburn’s approach to the game, suggesting they were looking to run the clock down from early on.
Speaking to LUTV, he said: “Yeah everyone is gutted in [the dressing room]. We knew we had to win today, that was the plan, to put pressure on the other teams. The fans are as disappointed as we are.
“We set out for three points, Blackburn have come here with a plan. You could see from the start of the game they were wasting time and are a difficult team to break down when they put everyone behind the ball.
“They’re obviously desperate for points and we know at this stage of the season, games will be like this and a loss is not what we wanted.”
Leeds United wasteful despite their dominance
Leeds will be disappointed once again to have dropped points in a game where they dominated both the ball and the chances.
The Whites recorded 75 per cent possession and registered a whopping 19 shots to their opponents’ three for an xG of 1.31 to 0.59, as well as recording three big chances to Blackburn’s one [FotMob].
The difference in this game was both teams’ ruthlessness when presented with those big chances – Leeds failed to convert all three, while Blackburn – through Szmodics – put theirs away.
Byram’s frustrations with the tactics employed by John Eustace’s side are understandable, however, with Elland Road’s visitors racking up 15 fouls to the five committed by Leeds.
The defeat leaves the Whites in third, missing the opportunity to go top of the table following slip-ups from both Leicester City and Ipswich Town against Plymouth Argyle and Middlesbrough, respectively.
There are still three games to go – but the chances are running dry.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites need this forward to start scoring soon if they are to earn promotion.
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