Many Leeds United fans have flocked to social media in order to respond to a Twitter post from The Athletic’s Phil Hay in which he shared an article discussing the team’s weakness when it comes to defending set-pieces.
Speaking after Leeds’ defeat at Chelsea, Marcelo Bielsa described his side’s inability to ‘neutralise’ that particular threat from Frank Lampard’s Blues as an ‘important factor’ in the game (via The Athletic).
Interestingly, as highlighted by the journalist in his piece, ‘almost 42% of the 105 regular-season league goals conceded by Leeds on Bielsa’s watch have come from set-pieces’. Although he does caveat that statistic with an important point; 13 of those goals were from penalties which in no way reflects on the way the Whites defend those situations.
What did these Leeds fans make of Phil Hay’s article on the team’s issues around defending set-pieces?
We know this so why has it not been sorted. 11 goals conceded in just three games is madness. My stomach twists at every set piece and not just me
— Allan Fawcett (@AllanFawcett2) December 9, 2020
Every time we concede a corner my heart sinks. We just don’t seem able to defend corners.
— Robert Scott (@RobertS39533255) December 9, 2020
Can’t score corners, can’t defend them. ?
— Marc Burton (@bronk_21) December 9, 2020
Not enough strength or height at the back, we need 2 6ft 4 tanks at the back with pace
— Matty?? (@Matty_B_89) December 9, 2020
Are you concerned by Leeds' issues defending set-pieces?
Yes
No
Also wonder why our own set pieces seem to offer very little threat at all. Feels they are wasted almost every time
— Andrew Dickinson (@Andrewerd) December 9, 2020
Nobody is ever on the post for starters – due to man for man marking.
— WeAllLoveLeeds (@AllLoveLeeds) December 9, 2020
It’s clear from the above responses that whilst some of these fans expressed their concern over Leeds’ ability to defend from set-pieces, others were keen to share their thoughts on why that might be.
Judging by Bielsa’s aforementioned comments following the defeat at Stamford Bridge, it seems the boss is aware of his side’s shortcomings in that particular aspect of the game and so in our view, the fans should take some confidence from that and afford him some further time to try and rectify the issue.