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Oscar Haley

'They need to change it up' - Paul Merson offers Leeds United advice after Crystal Palace loss

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes Leeds United must improve their game management after they fell 2-1 to Crystal Palace at Selhurt Park.

The Whites went 1-0 up through Pascal Struijk in the first half but were pegged back soon after by Palace forward Odsonne Edouard.

After the break, Eberechi Eze struck to give Palace a 2-1 lead, which Patrick Vieira's side saw out comfortably.

READ MORE: Leeds United winners and losers as Kristensen shines but Harrison struggles in defeat at Palace

The defeat to Palace means Leeds have not tasted a win in the Premier League since mid-August, when they beat Chelsea 3-0. Jesse Marsch's side have shown plenty of energy throughout their domestic campaign this season but have come up short in recent weeks.

One of the hallmarks of Marsch's style is playing at a high intensity, in an effort to force their opponents into mistakes. However, there can sometimes be a fine line between smart pressing and playing with reckless abandon.

And Merson believes it could be a long season for the Whites if they don't learn to control a game and learn from their mistakes.

"I just think their game management is not great," said Merson after Leeds 2-1 defeat.

"I just think they're really gung-ho. Everything's done at 100 mile an hour. Even when they went in front, they never calmed the game down.

"They've got no one who's going to put their foot on it and just control the game. 1-0 up or 1-0 down, it's 100 mile an hour and I think they need to change it up a bit. Otherwise, I think it's going to be a long season for them."

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