Weston McKennie was really impressive in the first-half of Leeds United’s draw with Leicester after a tough time for the American.
That is the view of Matt Kilgallon, who speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after the deflating game against the Foxes at Elland Road.
There was a sense of inevitability about Leicester equalising when Dean Smith brought on Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka during the second-half. And of course, it was Vardy who got the visitors’ goal to earn them a more than deserved point.
Kilgallon praises Weston McKennie after Leeds draw
Javi Gracia is certainly going to face questions over his decision-making. This was another evening where the Spaniard did his chances of keeping the job on a permanent basis no favours at all.
Leeds’ midfield had been woeful at Fulham at the weekend. And yet, Gracia stuck by Weston McKennie and Marc Roca.
In fairness, the decision was vindicated in the first-half. McKennie arguably had one of his best displays for the club. He showed all of the fight and quality that was completely missing at Craven Cottage.
Kilgallon has praised McKennie’s performance. But he also admitted that he cannot understand why Adam Forshaw was not brought on when Leicester made changes and geared up to throw the kitchen sink at the Whites.
“I think McKennie and Roca put a proper, proper shift in in that first-half,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “I was really impressed with McKennie especially, but I think he has been off it, hasn’t he. Let’s have it right. In the second-half, because they put so much in, I just think just someone else in there just to help them out, and with the experience Forshaw has.
“I think that would have been one for me, just putting that extra midfielder in.”
Gracia’s management of the game simply baffling
One of the criticisms of Jesse Marsch was that his substitutions were all too predictable, or never came anywhere near early enough.
Gracia can have no defence for his decisions, particularly in the second-half. McKennie faded as the game went on. And Roca was almost calamitous at one stage after the break. He nearly gave Leicester possession when he was the last man.
It was baffling that Gracia did not change more when Leicester threw players on. Brenden Aaronson actually showed some fight when he came on. But that meant little when Leicester were flying forward with so much quality.
Gracia was seemingly unwilling to use his final window to make an incorrect change. And with that, he made the bizarre and baffling call to not use it at all.