It was an all too familiar tale for Leeds United on Sunday.
The Whites began their Championship campaign with a 2-2 draw against Cardiff City at Elland Road and despite scoring late on to rescue a point, will have left wondering how they did not take all three.
Ultimately, though, the reason they didn’t is due to the defensive lapses of concentration that has been plaguing them for several seasons now.
Leeds’ defence is in desperate need of a fresh look to it, but ultimately, the only difference from last season’s back four on Sunday was handing a 19-year-old centre-back his full league debut at left-back.
Cardiff scored from their only two shots on target at the weekend but Leeds can hardly feel hard done by based on the nature of how those goals were conceded.
Cody Drameh is surely set for key Leeds role after Luke Ayling display
Time and time again last season Luke Ayling was caught well out of position at right-back and that was no different on Sunday, which led to the visitors’ opening goal.
For whatever reason, Ayling found himself 20-yards in front of the rest of his defence marking Aaron Ramsey, leaving a huge space in behind that Cardiff exploited to open the scoring.
It is something that has become an all too regular part of Ayling’s game and once Cody Drameh is fit, there is no doubt he deserves an opportunity.
Drameh has already proven in each of his two loan spells at Cardiff City and Luton Town he is one of the best right-backs in the division, and some fresh impetus in that position is desperately required.
The 21-year-old appears to be much more switched on defensively, but is also equally adept at getting forward having played as a wing-back at Luton.
It is unclear at this stage when he may return from injury, but there is no doubt once he returns that he deserves his chance under Daniel Farke.
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