It wasn’t a great day at the office for referee Rob Jones when he took centre-stage in Leeds United’s defeat to Portsmouth.
Daniel Farke will have to get his squad back into shape after Leeds lost 1-0 to Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon.
Disappointingly, the Whites lost their 17-match unbeaten streak, as Leeds fans will be hoping another collapse doesn’t happen this campaign.
Referee Jones didn’t help matters as he made a calamity of errors, but Farke can’t use this talking point as the only excuse after a poor showing.
Warnock labelled Jones a ‘disgrace’ as a major error was made and the former Leeds manager summed up his feelings for the referee further down the line.
Neil Warnock’s verdict on Rob Jones after major error against Leeds United
The Whites will now have to consider the prospect of not making their chances of promotion comfortable, as although the fixtures favour Leeds, the Portsmouth showing suggests anything can happen.
Leeds only face three of the top half in their final ten games, but that might turn out to be a factor against the Yorkshire-based side.
There will be plenty of elements from Sunday’s encounter for Farke to discuss, as Brendan Aaronson could be dropped for Leeds with the midfielder only having 20 touches.
Jones will certainly fit into why Leeds didn’t get anything from the game after Dan James was taken out by Matt Ritchie in the box, which left bafflement from the commentators during Portsmouth vs Leeds.
Speaking on Sky Sports during the game, Warnock made a sarcastic comment saying that Portsmouth will be fine if Jones continues to be appointed for them.
“If you keep getting that referee you’ll be alright (to John Mousinho),” Warnock said.
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Leeds can use excuse of referee errors after poor decision this season
There isn’t much Leeds can do when it comes to judgment from referees, as that is always the final decision.
How Leeds weren’t awarded a penalty raised serious concern, and no doubt the performance was poor form Farke’s side, but this has been a reoccurring factor.
Luckily for the Whites in the past, errors haven’t cost them the win, as Stuart Atwell made an error in Leeds vs Sunderland
Farke has called referees ‘ridiculous’ at times this campaign, so there’s no reason why Leeds can’t use the excuse if promotion isn’t secured.
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