Inside Elland Road: Defensive solidity is vital for Leeds Utd
Leeds United sit a point above the Premier League drop zone after Sean Dyche's Nottingham Forest did a number on them at the City Ground.
Sunday's clash could not have gone much worse for Daniel Farke and Leeds, with slack marking yet again to blame for goals conceded and creativity seriously lacking at the other end.
The YEP take on Forest 3-1 Leeds
Good day: Sean Dyche. The Forest manager got exactly what he wanted and needed from his team. When he made his second half substitutions it felt like he was seizing upon some momentum and building on it. And not long after Leeds went behind. There was an air of inevitability about the result for the very same reasons that Forest fans felt so confident prior to the game. Forest feel like they're turning a corner and if they get their noses in front in a game you would back Dyche to do what it takes to secure vital wins.
Trio’s bad day
Bad day: Jaka Bijol. The centre-back let Morgan Gibbs-White go in the area for the second goal, which turned out to be a winner. Forest pressed him in possession and forced him to go long on his left foot, which didn't have the accuracy Leeds needed at times and simply handed the ball back to the hosts. When Pascal Struijk went through a wobbly patch the for Bijol were natural, he was signed to start after all. But the Slovenian is yet to show he can bring a marked improvement to Leeds' defensive efforts or build up in possession.
Bad day: Jarred Gillett. Leeds were infuriated by the officiating all afternoon and it started early. Anton Stach went down holding his head and play was allowed to go on. Gibbs-White went down seconds later and Gillett stopped the game instantly. The free-kick award ahead of Forest's second goal was an incredible decision. Even if Leeds should have defended so much better for that goal, Stach was penalised for being fouled.
Bad day: Daniel Farke. His team went in front and were able to enjoy that feeling for around 90 seconds. By full-time it was difficult to find any other positives beyond the fact that they took the lead. They did neither side of the game well, failing to create good chances and failing to defend properly. It was difficult to see the plan at times or how it was supposed to work. And there were no statistics to hide behind because possessional dominance meant nothing. A chastening afternoon for Farke, who saw anger in a mixed response from the away fans at the end.
Off-camera
Pascal Struijk prematurely setting off on a run during the substitutes' pre-game rondo, believing everyone would follow. They did not. He had to traipse back for one more round of keep ball before they all ran to the edge of the box and back.
Karl Darlow pulling off a fine stop from Jayden Bogle in the warm-up and flashing a grin at the right-back. Brenden Aaronson then drilled a shot wide and spotting a stray ball three yards from goal tried to put it in the net only to have his effort saved by an unsuspecting kit man who was fetching balls from the goal and not even looking.
Both sets of fans rising to their feet to applaud Forest fan Stephen Crean whose heroics on the LNER train to London helped save lives.
Lukas Nmecha changing his boots on the half hour mark while Ethan Ampadu received treatment for a knee injury.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing from the group of subs warming up at the break.
Daniel Farke telling his players, including Anton Stach, to come away from the assistant referee after a shocking free-kick decision in favour of Forest. But it was clear from the German's body language that he too was fed up with the officials.
Struijk remonstrating with an assistant referee at full-time over the officiating. Darlow and fellow ex-Newcastle United keeper Matz Sels having a catch up. Farke and Rodon having an animated discussion.
Rodon going and giving his shirt to someone in the away end, with Noah Okafor following suit. The Leeds fans gave their side and manager a mixed response with some applause and some angry gestures.
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