Leeds United news as Jon Newsome claims Whites…

Leeds United news as Jon Newsome claims Whites defender endured 'bad day at the office'

Here are the latest Leeds United evening headlines on Saturday, 12 November 2022.

Cooper criticism

Former Leeds United defender Jon Newsome believes Liam Cooper had a 'bad day at the office' in the the 4-3 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. The Whites endured a defensive collapse in the capital after thrice taking the lead before conceding twice in quick succession in the final 10 minutes to lose the game.

Cooper will have felt frustrated at his involvement in the build-up to Spurs' second goal, losing out in a 50/50 challenge inside the area. Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, Newsome thinks Cooper could have done better for three of Spurs' four goals.

“I didn’t think Liam Cooper had his best game today, in all honesty. You look at some of the goals and you think ‘I think you can do better there’.

“I think he can do better with the challenge in the box, I think he can do better with his header on one of the goals and for me I think the fourth goal it was Liam Cooper who he ran off the back of. But listen, sometimes you have a bad day at the office.”

Marsch on Gnonto switch

Jesse Marsch has moved to explain his decision to take Wilfried Gnonto off at half-time during Leeds United’s 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Gnonto was handed his full debut for the Whites after impressing off the bench in wins over Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Unfortunately, though, the forward got just 45 minutes on the field in north London before being replaced at half-time. The Italy international struggled to make a lasting impact on the game during his first start and many feared he had been withdrawn through injury after seeing him receive treatment on the field on a number occasions following comings together with Ben Davies and Ivan Perisic.

However, Marsch has allayed fears of an injury, instead explaining the substitution, with Sam Greenwood coming on, was made for tactical reasons as Leeds changed shape ever so slightly in the hope they could contain Spurs more.

“Yeah, it was partly the tactical change,” Marsch said when asked about Gnonto during his post-match press conference. “We felt like we wanted to go to more 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1."

Player ratings

1 Illan Meslier

Not a huge amount he could do about the first goal because he was underneath Clement Lenglet in the back of his net. The second goal asked bigger questions of the Frenchman, who perhaps lost sight of the ball through the crowd of bodies. Some strong punches on Tottenham Hotspur corners. 6

25 Rasmus Kristensen

Solid and did well in his battle with Ivan Perisic. Never looked as exposed as his left-sided team-mates. Possibly wanted better quality on his deliveries into the box. Good block on Harry Kane's shot before the second home goal eventually went in. 6

5 Robin Koch

Kane did not see a huge amount of change out of either centre-back. Koch decent. Composed under pressure in his own third with the ball. Did not deal well with Dejan Kulusevski before the fourth goal at all. 5