Leeds Player Ratings: Brentford 2-0 Leeds United

Leeds United came out in a must-win game and totally and completely dropped the ball, meaning that Leeds will almost certainly have to go through the playoffs to get promotion. Leeds have two games left, against Aston Villa and already relegated Ipswich Town, and if this team is to reach the goals set out, then the players will have to play a lot better than they did today.

Here’s how we thought the players did today. As usual, you can tell me how wrong I am @ThruItAllLUFC.

STARTING XI

Kiko Casilla:

Had a nice save in the second half, didn’t have a lot to do with the goals that were scored. Not his worst game, but a good showing from the Spanish keeper nonetheless. 6/10

Luke Ayling:

Again, not his worst performance, but far, far off the pace, as was the rest of the team. Just couldn’t handle Sergi Canos on the right, and didn’t really make much of an impact going forward. 5/10

Pontus Jansson:

Man-marked Neal Maupay in the match, and while Maupay didn’t have a hat trick, he did get the opening goal. Didn’t look especially great from corner kicks or free kicks, not that the ball was ever really delivered well. Not a great performance from the big Swede. 4/10

Liam Cooper:

Made an unlikely return, but was still well off the pace. Not a great night for him either, although he was better than Jansson. 5/10

Gjanni Alioski:

Was subbed off after 10 minutes because of injury. Wasn’t on long enough to have a real impact. N/A

Adam Forshaw:

Couldn’t have unlocked Brentford’s defence with his passing if he was handed a key. Wasn’t great at covering the defence either. Side sorely missed someone of the quality of Kalvin Phillips. 4/10

Pablo Hernandez:

A disappointing game from the Spaniard. His day was summed up in the second half when one of this corner kicks went out of play before getting into the box. He looked knackered out there, and the rest of the team suffered. 5/10

Tyler Roberts:

Could have scored at least one goal, but butchered his chance and didn’t really make any impact with his passing. He’s still young, and will have growing pains, but he’s running hot and cold this season. Not a great game either. 5/10

Mateusz Klich:

Also looked like a passenger during much of the match. For someone who got a Poland recall earlier this season, he’s looked more like the player that Christiansen binned over the past few weeks. 5/10

Jack Harrison:

Another terrible performance in a row. I have no idea why he was taking corners as they never seemed to get in the same postcode as the box. He’s going to develop into anything more than a also-ran, he needs to step up his game because he’s not going to be long for Manchester City if he plays like he has the past two games. 3/10

Patrick Bamford:

Perhaps could have won a penalty, but it was waved away and he never looked as if he was going to score otherwise. Honestly, his best effort for Leeds today was falling over in the box, and even that didn’t help. 2/10

SUBSTITUTES

Stuart Dallas (10 min for Alioski):

Well, Dallas works hard at least, but he’s not really a fullback. Did well enough, but again, lacked the pace to really work defenders. Not one of the worst, but not great. 6/10

Kemar Roofe (58 min for Roberts):

Roofe plays best and scores goals when he is played as a striker, and looks out of step elsewhere on the pitch. Unless Bielsa switches to a two striker formation anytime soon, probably shouldn’t be on the pitch at the same time as Bamford. Disappointing, but what else is new? 5/10

Jack Clarke (64 min for Jansson):

Came on, dribbled around, didn’t create nearly as much as he did when he first started getting playing time back in the winter. Not getting the time to affect the game like he did earlier in the season, and perhaps he could do with a different role than the last sub into the match. 4/10