Jonty Banks

Sun 28 May 2023 20:50, UK

Roy Keane has unleashed a rant on the “pub team defending” of Leeds United after their Premier League relegation was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat to Spurs on Sunday (28 May).

Sam Allardyce’s side finished the campaign at a whimper, with Harry Kane, Pedro Porro and Lucas Moura netting goals to take the Whites’ goals conceded total to a ridiculous 78 from just 38 games.

Speaking live on Sky Sports in reaction to the club’s relegation alongside Leicester City and Southampton, Keane laid siege on the club’s “weak” defending over the final stretch of the campaign.

“They looked weak, didn’t they,” he said.

“They have looked weak over the last month or two, even with Sam coming in. They are fighting for their lives today, and they conceded four goals today, no matter what Sam was trying to do over the last few weeks, he came in too late.

“But defensively, like we said, they look so weak when looking at the goals there, and it is almost pub team defending.”

“Not strong enough mentally.”

Terrible

Allardyce labelled the concession to Kane within two minutes of the match as “professional suicide”, and it is hard to disagree with this statement. [BBC Sport]

In a match of this magnitude, and with so much on the line, the face that Leeds crumbled in such a manner was extremely disappointing to see.

Although it was disappointing, was anyone within Elland Road even surprised?

This team have been shipping goals nonstop for the past two seasons, and it was always going to catch up to them.

Having three managers over a campaign is never going to help defensive stability, but the players must also take some accountability for their terrible performances at times.

Today, it was Pascal Stuijk who was culpable of a couple of howlers for the goals, but at other times this term, it has been the likes of Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling or Junior Firpo.

Pub team defending put it lightly.

In other Leeds United, here is how the players were rated for their performances in the loss v Spurs.