Leeds Player Ratings: Swansea City 2-2 Leeds United

Team performance: 7

With a make-shift back four and a late change to the lineup with Cooper’s pre-match injury, Leeds United grinded to earn a point at the Liberty. Swansea City played very well and disrupted Leeds from the get-go and Leeds weren’t quite at their best. But that’s the Championship, and coming back twice, especially so far from home, to earn a point is a very good sign for a team that want to push their Championship rivals to the limit for the sake of promotion, you just can’t win them all.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell: 7

Made a few crucial saves to keep us in the game before the equaliser from Hernandez and then to sustain it late in the game against Celina. He looked very confident on the ball and played it out well, something that is crucial as to how Bielsa likes to play and what role he sets his goalkeepers.

Jamie Shackleton: 7

The youngster played pretty well in his first Championship. Bielsa ensures that every player, starting or sub, is ready to jump in and give their all, exactly what Shackleton produced. Despite a couple of mistakes, the youngster played on and grew into the game and provided that crucial bit of quality to get an essential equaliser for Leeds going into half-time. His fizzed ball across was there, begging to cross the line, and for sure Kemar Roofe was the man to do so. A great assist and encouraging performance from the stand-in right back.

Luke Ayling: 6

Having taken the armband, he did his best at centre-half but it’s clear to see that his services must be utilised on that right side. His ball-playing throughout the ninety minutes wasn’t bad but perhaps Leeds could’ve done with Conor Shaughnessy filling in at centre-half to also add a bit of height to the defence.

Gaetano Berardi: 6

It was inevitable that Jansson was going to take over after Berardi’s great efforts at centre-half, it isn’t that he hasn’t played well but rather just having a more natural and comfortable figure in the middle of defence. However, with Jansson left in Leeds with a back problem and Cooper dropping out with a hamstring issue, he may have to stay in the side a little but longer depending on the severity of those knocks. To be frank, I don’t think anyone watchingwould’ve liked the look of Berardi against V.D.Hoorn but we know that his heart and grit is what levels the playing field. He held the ball pretty well again tonight.

Barry Douglas: 6

We’ve seen better from Baz so far but what we did see from this game is his desire to keep the team ticking along and how much he wants the ball. He was always looking to bring the ball out on that left channel of his and again the Scot provided a good offensive weapon.

Kalvin Phillips: 6

KP’s 30th minute substitution showed us that nobody is safe in this Leeds team and the ruthless nature that Bielsa takes in the Championship. You have to feel sorry for the lad who would’ve liked to play much more of his 100th Leeds appearance to maybe make a big impact, but it seemed the change was for tactical reasons, he did some good and some not so good in his half-hour spell but for him it’s just on to the next game.

Mateusz Klich: 7

Dropped into the deeper role once Phillips left the field and was perfectly comfortable, however isn’t the same type of player that Phillips is when playing that lynch-pin role. He got forward a bit more, kept the ball moving well and is generally more fluid and creative and we saw that he was trying to get the ball flowing through the team.

Samu Saiz: 5

Couldn’t really work his magic in this game but Bielsa and the fans know what he is capable of in the final third and it was worth keeping him on the pitch, perhaps it just wasn’t his night.

Ezgjan Alioski: 5

It’s not been a good couple of games for the Macedonian, he was rather insignificant in this match and was substituted for Jack Harrison at half-time. questions are being asked of his ability and now we could see a little less of Alioski in the coming matches.

Pablo Hernandez: 7

He was doing all he could to get things going down that right side but for much of the game; it wasn’t happening. His experience was crucial, snatching the goal that would get Leeds the point in the end. Bamford’s low ball in from the left eluded the first defender before the Spainard snuck behind the next centre-half and then guiding the ball home against a wrong-footed keeper in a very composed fashion.

Kemar Roofe: 7

Went a bit missing in this game but what’s great about him is that even when he does go missing in a game, he continues to provide the goods. Roofe reacted quickest to Shackleton’s ball in, as the defenders were static, he slipped between the lines to get the ball in the back of the net. A crucial goal before half-time as Roofe gets his fourth goal in as many matches.

Substitutes

Lewis Baker: 6

Played okay during the game, a player that always looks to work the ball positively and it was something that Leeds definitely needed in a game like this were Swansea were determined to get in the face of the new promotion favourites.

Jack Harrison: 5.5

The young Manchester City loanee still has much to learn, he had a good chance to score but was hesitant in pulling the trigger. However despite this looked creative but it was unfortunate not to see the ‘in yer face’ type of play that we have seen during his New York City days, with desire to take on and get beyond defenders. He’s got a bright future ahead of him and this kind of experience in something that he needs at this stage of his career.

Patrick Bamford: 7

A fantastic assist for Pablo’s crucial equaliser and looked a threat for the 25 minutes he was on the pitch. He wasn’t really set-up for any real chance but put himself about and showed that he’s willing to do the miles, go out wide and set-up rather than just wait in the middle. A side before self way is something that Bielsa requires and Bamford has certainly got it.