If Leeds United are to save themselves from the drop, they could do without continually shooting themselves in the foot. It’s an obvious message from Sam Allardyce, who has just two games left to secure the Whites' Premier League status, but old habits die hard, it seems.
In the two games Allardyce has overseen, Leeds have conceded three penalties and that comes as a huge frustration for the head coach. Only two of those spot kicks have been converted, with Ilkay Gundogan hitting the post with his effort at the Etihad Stadium after seeing Phil Foden felled by Pascal Struijk.
Callum Wilson made no mistake at Elland Road, though, beating Joel Robles from 12 yards twice to ensure his Newcastle United side left West Yorkshire with a point. Both penalties were avoidable for Leeds, as well. Max Wober gave away the first by needlessly bringing down Alexander Isak before Junior Firpo was spotted handling the ball in the area in the second half.
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Ultimately, they were mistakes that cost Leeds two points last weekend and Allardyce, who admitted to taking aim at Struijk last week, will have had stern words with his side when they returned to Thorp Arch for training earlier this week. Leeds travel to West Ham United on Sunday and that message ought to be ringing in their ears as they look to secure the win that will give them a better chance of securing survival on the final day of the campaign.
“Well, the first penalty was more disappointing because all week it’s stay on your feet in the final third,” Allardyce said, addressing the penalties Leeds conceded against the Magpies on Saturday. “When you defend in the final third stay on your feet, especially in the box, stay on your feet.
“It happened last week with Pascal and he got a b------ing at the end for diving in. I mean, we're giving goals away by doing it. We can't afford that because we're not a prolific goal scoring team.
“It's a real disappointment but of course players under pressure and under the pressure were under, lost it for that particular moment.”
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