Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have blasted Leeds United’s defenders after another poor showing at West Ham United on Sunday.
The pundit duo were speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, where they laid into the ‘absolutely shambolic’ defending for the Hammers’ third goal.
Leeds were comfortably second best in their 3-1 defeat at the London Stadium but remained in with a chance of getting something from the game until the third goal in stoppage time.
Lucas Paqueta had the ball in the corner and seemingly had no where to go, but somehow managed to dribble past a number of Leeds defenders on the by-line before laying it on a plate for Manuel Lanzini.
Neville and Carragher rip into Leeds defence
Ultimately, Leeds have had one of, if not the worst defences in the league for the last two seasons now and goals like this just aren’t a surprise anymore.
Leeds have conceded 74 goals so far this season, the most of any team in the division and it’s almost impossible to stay up when it is so leaky at the back.
Carragher has long been critical of Leeds’ defenders as individuals and was not afraid to hold back after Neville’s ‘shambolic’ verdict.
Neville said: “It will be a real worry now, obviously Leeds are in big trouble.
“It was too easy for West Ham. You thought it was perfect if you wanted an away game. A team who had just been away in Europe, you saw them all with beers in their hands after the game on Thursday night celebrating.
“They made six changes, but I think many questioned them before the game saying West Ham were going to be an easy opponent, but Leeds’ defending is absolutely shambolic.
“Unbelievable from Paqueta, he’s a brilliant player, but the way they lunge in and the way they lack composure those Leeds defenders, I have to say that takes some doing that. Time and time again, week in week out.”
Carragher then added: “They’ve got terrible defenders Leeds, they really have.
“Sam Allardyce has come in and conceded seven goals in three games, and he’s a manager who’s known for making it difficult for the opposition.”
Looking at Leeds’ defensive recruitment since promotion to the Premier League and it is difficult to regard even one as a success.
None of Diego Llorente, Robin Koch, Junior Firpo and Rasmus Kristensen have in any way improved Leeds at the back and the errors they make on a consistent basis are not Premier League level.
Max Wober is the only you can argue has made an impact, but even then it feels like the best of a bad bunch in all honesty.