Noel Whelan has torn Leeds United to shreds for their first-half display in the draw against Bristol City at the weekend.
The Whites drew 2-2 against the Robins at Elland Road, but had to produce a fantastic comeback in the second period just to earn a point.
Paul Heckingbottom, who took charge of his first home game, saw his side go into half-time two goals down after an abysmal 45 minutes.
Famara Diedhiou and Bobby Reid scored for visitors Bristol City in the first-half, but both goals came from basic long throw-ins as the Whites failed to defend their penalty box.
BBC pundit Whelan delivered a brutal assessment of Leeds’ opening 45 minutes and feels defensively they were once again shocking.
“Probably one of the worst 45 minutes I’ve seen in a long time, there wasn’t much happening,” Whelan said, as quoted by West Yorkshire Sport on Twitter.
“We started brightly the first seven or eight minutes, but then it went completely wrong. Once again our inability to defend set-pieces, whether it be a long throw or a corner.
“Not reacting quick enough to the second phase of play, which inevitably cost us two goals.”
OPINION
Leeds’ play-off bid continues to be a long shot and they need to make up an eight-point deficit to reach the top six. The Yorkshire giants have very little chance of doing that if they continue to start games so quickly and manager Heckingbottom needs to see a reaction in midweek against Derby County. Leeds produced a brilliant second-half to earn themselves a point, but could have so easily avoided having their backs against the wall with some stronger defending. Felix Wiedwald in goal certainly doesn’t fill anyone with confidence, but captain Liam Cooper served the last of his suspension in the Bristol City draw.