Sky Sports pundit Liam Rosenior has singled out Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw in a blasting criticism after the Whites’ 3-1 defeat at home to title rivals Norwich City.
The Canaries leapfrogged Marcelo Bielsa and his men by picking up all three points at Elland Road, Mario Vrancic netting a brace and Teemu Pukki scoring the other, while Patrick Bamford netted a late consolation for the home side.
Delivering his verdict on an “outstanding” Norwich display, Rosenior picked out Forshaw as someone who was at fault for two of the goals, firstly not blocking Vrancic’s free kick better before giving up possession and playing Pukki onside for the second.
He told Sky Sports’ post-match coverage (02/02, 19:39): “Pontus Jansson will be devastated to give away the free kick but credit Vrancic. It takes a small deflection who could do better in terms of blocking the shot.
“(For the second goal) Forshaw loses possession to begin with and he makes a second massive mistake by getting back in too deep so he’s actually playing Pukki onside.
“(Who should take responsibility?) You’re always looking at the man in possession. The ball from Ayling is dinked in (and) Leeds players weren’t aware, I think they were caught surprised by the fact that Norwich wanted to press high up the pitch.”
Opinion
It is hard to argue with Rosenior here, who has pretty much hit the nail on the head as to where things went wrong for Leeds on Saturday evening. Unfortunately for Forshaw, he found himself at the heart of it and will probably take much of the blame not only from pundits but from the fans at Elland Road as well. He was not the only man who failed to live up to expectation in front of the home crowd and there will have to be an inquest by Bielsa and his coaching staff as to why the Canaries managed to secure victory with such ease. Still, Forshaw is going to be the fall man for this one and understandably so after playing his part in not one but two of the away side’s goals. His overall game was lacking in conviction and regardless of his errors there would have been questions over his display. He has not exactly been sterling this season and so maybe doubts are creeping in over his place in the starting XI.