Alan Shearer has slammed Rodrigo for his big error seconds before Leeds United conceded their first goal at the weekend.
Leeds raced into an early lead at Elland Road that looked to have set themselves up to secure a positive result and relieve some pressure off the shoulders of Jesse Marsch, but they ended up surrendering the lead and losing 3-2.
The Whites only managed to keep their lead for six minutes as Leeds were undone by a set piece which saw Rodrigo vacate his spot at the near post only seconds before Aleksandar Mitrovic headed home in that very spot to level things up for Fulham.
And speaking on Match of the Day 2, Shearer wasn’t happy with what he saw from Rodrigo just after scoring a goal of his own, as he seemingly wasn’t switched on from the corner that preceded the visitors’ equaliser.
He said: “I watched them in midweek as well and they were poor, but when you’re not playing well – which they’re not – you have to do the basics right, particularly defending set pieces. And they were really poor and got caught out.
Should Marsch be sacked?
Yes!
No!
“It’s a good ball in, you can see Mitrovic and Ayling, but [Harry] Wilson does really well, because he creates the space at the near post and there’s no way Rodrigo should go that far, anyway. You can’t vacate that area, you have to stay in there – that’s your job.”
TIF Thoughts on Leeds’ defending…
It’s correct what Shearer said about having to do the basics otherwise you’ll get found out and that certainly happened with Leeds as there was no need for Rodrigo to follow Wilson so closely and leave a huge space at the near post.
The Spaniard should’ve probably passed him on to someone such as Jack Harrison or allowed him to walk away on his own because if he stays at the near post, then he blocks off Mitrovic and the first Fulham goal doesn’t happen.
Rodrigo did put Leeds ahead just before this mistake but he’ll be remembered for pretty much losing them a goal and the one that handed Fulham a way back into the game and a lot more confidence and has, in turn, piled further pressure on his manager.