The defeat to Nottingham Forest highlighted two issues that are plaguing Leeds
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
05:00, 10 Nov 2025
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NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest scores his team's second goal with a header past Lucas Perri of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United at City Ground on November 09, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Leeds United have a problem. Six away games and just three points out of a possible 18. Granted one of them was Arsenal, and they so very nearly earned a point against Fulham. But very nearly will not be good enough, as was the case against Nottingham Forest.
The pressure placed on home games amid the lack of points away from home has greatly inflated after the last three away trips. Just one goal scored, and eight goals conceded. That is relegation form.
Now, there is an awfully long way to go, and Leeds are still on par with their point-per-game aim. But in real terms, the overall context is worrying. United need to start getting results on the road because it is unlikely that they will pick up enough points at Elland Road alone to avoid the drop. The next game against Aston Villa is huge.
Schedule ahead
If Leeds do lose at home to Villa, they could well go six games without a win given who they face on the other side. In the space of eight days come Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Really, Leeds needed to get four points from these two games against Nottingham Forest and Villa to give themselves a cushion heading into that run.
Now they can only get three - which, of course, is still possible and would still be a boost. But to come away from Burnley and Forest - current relegation zone rivals - with nothing to show for their efforts is the worst case scenario when it comes to roadtrips.
Leeds have not dipped below their point-per-game average guideline so far but that now only looks an inevitability after that Liverpool home clash, on the balance of probabilities. Villa is now a must-win game.
Substitutions
Daniel Farke’s weak point seems to be getting pushed into the spotlight even more. The German waited until the 74th minute to make his first changes, after Forest had gone 2-1 up. Farke has been accused of being reactive rather than proactive and this here supported those who hold that thesis.
Not only that but Joel Piroe was anonymous and made no impact. Jack Harrison gave away a penalty. Pascal Struijk’s introduction didn’t make a difference.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin came close to scoring, as did Daniel James, but ultimately Leeds and Farke left it too late to turn things around. There’s only so much players can do in 15 or 20 minute spells.
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Any positives?
There are a few crumbs of positivity to take from the game, albeit not many. The first is that Leeds scored first in an away game for the first time this season, and it was a very tidy finish from Lukas Nmecha.
James was also bright when he came on, forcing a save from Matz Sels. He was the most lively winger in the second half and he only played 20 minutes. Perhaps being away with Wales will help build his match fitness.
Jaka Bijol looked solid before he allowed Morgan Gibbs-White to ghost in to head home on 68 minutes. That was it, though. And overall, that is not good enough.