Leeds United suffered comfortably their worst defeat of the season at the hands of Blackburn Rovers today.
The Whites compounded a miserable week in the wake of picking up just one point from both Coventry City and Sunderland with losing their unbeaten home record 1-0 to the relegation strugglers.
Just like against Sunderland on Tuesday, Daniel Farke’s side were once again unable to break down a side happy to sit back and defend, as they looked bereft of attacking ideas from a very early stage.
Aside from Willy Gnonto, Leeds’ front four were once again off the boil as Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, who have both enjoyed brilliant seasons, just could not get themselves going at all.
As such, Farke utilised his bench at a much earlier point than he did on Tuesday night, but those substitutions are a major reason as to why Leeds have come away with nothing.
Farke subs a major factor in Leeds first home defeat
Shortly after the hour-mark, Farke made the decision to introduce three players off the bench, and given how it was going, it would be fair to say that changes were needed.
Patrick Bamford, Sam Byram and Dan James were all brought onto the field, with Ilia Gruev, Connor Roberts and Rutter making way.
With those alterations, it meant Archie Gray was effectively manning a midfield on his own, which against a side who were just packing the middle of the pitch, was a recipe for disaster.
In games which Leeds have been chasing a goal, Farke has often taken the strategy of just throwing attackers onto the field. At best, it has worked once at Norwich City.
Instead, it just leads to Leeds losing the entire structure of their team. Rather than helping, you could argue it actually hinders the ability to create anything as there is no link between midfield and attack.
And unfortunately today, it has contributed majorly to Leeds’ defeat, with Blackburn’s goal coming as a result of the hosts having literally no one in the middle of the park.
Leeds fail to capitalise on Leicester dropped points
This is now the second match in a row that Leicester have been beaten before Leeds were playing, and once again they have failed to capitalise.
Leicester suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of both Plymouth Argyle and Millwall, and somehow Leeds have been unable to take advantage with successive home games.
These results certainly bring Southampton back into the picture for a top two spot, while Ipswich Town must not believe their luck after slumping recently too.
Leeds will now surely have to win all of their last three matches to stand any chance of being promoted automatically, and on this form, it does not look likely.