Leeds United crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night after losing to Salford City on penalties – and Neil Redfearn has blasted Leeds duo Leo Hjelde and Pascal Struijk on Twitter for their positioning.
Having secured a first league win on Saturday with a 4-3 victory over Ipswich Town, Daniel Farke fielded a strong XI for the trip to Salford. Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt all in attendance.
But it was an ex-Leeds player that opened the scoring. Matt Smith’s qualities are obvious, and yet the Leeds defence allowed Smith to get his head on a cross into the box – and power it past Karl Darlow.
A wonderful header – and something Leeds were lacking with Joel Piroe cup tied. Leeds did manage to equalise, Struijk atoning for his inability to stop striker Smith scoring with a prod home from close range.
But Leeds went out on penalties – Georginio Rutter and Jamie Shackleton missing, both of whom were decent last night. Ex-Leeds boss Redfearn was critical of Struijk and Hjelde when defending the goal.
Redfearn blasts Leeds duo Hjelde and Struijk for their positioning
While Struijk and Hjelde are caught flat-footed, they would have done incredibly well to stop a towering Smith to get his giant frame and head on the ball. A superb goal, sending Salford on their way to a win.
What it does allow Farke to do, is to focus solely on the league. Leeds are next in action this weekend, playing host to rivals and newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday. A second successive league win is key.
Before then, the club hope to bring in some new signings – with Djed Spence arriving on Wednesday morning. A left-back could come in to replace Hjelde. Midfielders are also expected in the building.
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