David Woods

Fri 7 February 2020 21:01, UK

Leeds United under-23s welcomed Derby to York on Wednesday looking to avenge their 7-1 defeat from earlier in the season.

Carlos Corberan was without a number of regulars due to their appearances against Manchester United on Wednesday – replacing them with first-team names such as Kalvin Phillips and Barry Douglas.

Leeds were two goals down after half an hour, with a penalty and a goal from Rushian Hepburn-Murphy the difference. The Whites clawed a goal back before half time, with Theo Hudson tapping home from two yards out.

It was a quiet second half with limited chances, but Leeds will be disappointed they couldn’t find a way back into this one.

Here are our MOT Leeds News player ratings from the 2-1 defeat…

Elia Caprile – 6
Not the best of debuts. The Italian’s distribution was nowhere near the same standard as Casilla or Meslier as he often made the wrong decision with ball in hand.

Joe Stanley – 5
Much of the football was played down the opposite flank. Stanley was guilty of not supporting Kamwa enough when the winger got into dangerous positions – we’ll put that down to him usually playing in midfield.

Barry Douglas – 6
Was at fault for the second goal losing his man too easily. Douglas was better in possession, often clipping the perfect ball down the line or behind the defense.

Pascal Struijk – 7
Back to his best in defence. Struijk showed the authority needed of him with Hosannah next to him. He made a number of superb tackles as well as a phenomenal goal-line clearance to keep the deficit at one goal before the break.

Bryce Hosannah – 4
The right-back was asked to play in the middle, and it was clear to see. Hosannah had a shocker at the back, he missed far too many tackles and misplaced the easiest of passes – one to forget.

Kalvin Phillips – 7
Was clearly not playing to his full potential. Phillips took it easy in holding midfield, playing a number of delightful passes. Did give away a penalty for a questionable foul. Either way, it’s more minutes under his belt before the trip to Brentford.

Bobby Kamwa – 7
Very quiet first half from Kamwa who was often isolated down the right-hand side. He moved upfront in the second half, and was much more involved. He missed a couple of chances but generally held the ball up very well.

Theo Hudson – 8
It was a change in position for Hudson who was superb in midfield. He got the goal his performance deserved. He often burst into the final third with great pace and Derby found it hard to deal with him throughout the contest – one to watch.

Niall Huggins – 8
Huggins also moved into the middle of the park and excelled. The Welsh youth international was in a playmaker role but wasn’t afraid to help back in defence. He has impressed us regularly this season and Friday was no different.

Liam McCarron – 6
The former Carlisle starlet is guilty of not being consistent enough. McCarron will show glimpses but then ruin it with a poor pass or touch in the final third. The winger often took one too many touches, letting the Derby defence off the hook.

Jean-Kevin Augustin – 7
Much better than on Monday, without the reward. The Frenchman looked much sharper but was starved of service. The frustration of not being unleashed in the first team could have come out when he had a shot from the halfway line – better luck next time.

In other Leeds United news, Many Leeds fans react to Augustin display as striker subbed off for U23s v Derby