Former Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand has warned his old side that they face a 'hard slog' in the battle against relegation following the 1-0 defeat at Leicester City.
The narrow loss at the King Power meant Leeds have now gone eight games without a win and left them sitting just three points ahead of the drop zone ahead of Saturday's 3pm kick-offs.
Jesse Marsch was in the dugout for the first time after he was handed the reigns following Marcelo Bielsa's sacking last weekend and although his side put in a much-improved defensive performance, it was not enough to prevent another defeat, thanks to Harvey Barnes' second-half goal.
Leeds have 11 matches of the campaign remaining, having played more games than a number of their rivals and struggling to find their form.
"I still think it’s a hard slog for them," Ferdinand said on BT Sports following the defeat, when asked about the relegation battle.
"I think it’s going to between them and Brentford. I thought it was Burnley up until ten days ago now I’d say Brentford and Leeds are the two teams in the most danger to follow Norwich and Watford at this present moment in time."
Ferdinand also reflected on Bielsa's departure, saying the Argentine's unwillingness to adapt to the situation Leeds found themselves was his undoing.
"I don’t think he was willing to [adapt]. I think Bielsa has built his reputation on a particular way of playing and that’s what he will live and die by.
"I think he’ll be very proud going out the way he did. He said: ‘this is me, you employ me for this way. That’s it and if it doesn’t work then you can make a decision.’"
Next up for Leeds is a Thursday night clash against Aston Villa on Thursday night, before fellow relegation battlers Norwich City visit West Yorkshire next Sunday.
