Leeds United fans cast grim verdict on troubling defeat to Fulham and raise big Whites question

Here is what our YEP Jury had to say of the 3-2 defeat against the Cottagers, with the issue of what the club hierarchy decide to do with head coach Jesse Marsch a common theme.

Andrew Dalton

It's hard to know how to sum the game up as the winless streak continued to eight games yesterday afternoon against Fulham at Elland Road. Leeds made a bright start against the newly-promoted side, who came into the game on the back of a win against Aston Villa, and took the lead through Rodrigo's first goal since August.

Fulham equalised through Aleksandar Mitrovic and Leeds were grateful to some brilliant keeping from Illan Meslier and some last-ditch defending from Robin Koch. The visitors then scored twice in the last 15 minutes, before Crysencio Summerville scored his first goal for the club, but it was too late for Leeds to get something from the game.

Man of the match: Luke Ayling.

Andy Rhodes

This was a week that required at least one Leeds win and, in the end, we recorded none. It was a week that ended with Leeds in the bottom three and inevitable questions about Jesse Marsch’s future. This game had a similar feel to the Norwich game at Elland Road last season, one of tension and anxiety. Leeds and Marsch needed something but his side just weren’t positive enough going forward or strong enough at the back.

Leeds started like a side that knew a big performance was needed, but the same bad habits from previous games this season soon crept in. Harrison Reed had a sighter after some sloppy defending, and Aleksandar Mitrovic capitalised on more poor defending soon after. In fact, all three Fulham goals came from slack defending which you just can’t afford to do in the Premier League. Where Leeds go from here is anyone’s guess. There’ll be some big decisions to make in the coming weeks.

Man of the match: Crysencio Summerville.

David Watkins

This was a must-win game… and we didn’t win it. It was another oh-so-familiar performance that confirmed again we are nowhere near good enough in defence and impotent up front. To allow Mitrovic so much room at a corner when we had ourselves a 20th-minute lead was nothing short of criminal. At 1-1, Leeds were fortunate not to concede twice more as Marc Roca made a last-ditch block near the goal line and then Illan Meslier made a terrific stop to deny Andreas Pereira.

The second half was tepid at best from Leeds with little in the way of chances created and, when Patrick Bamford did find himself in a good position, he again fluffed his lines with a poor first touch. Fulham punished the lack-lustre defence with two soft second-half goals and the game was done with an injury-time goal from the lively Crysencio Summerville no more than a consolation. Troubling times at Elland Road.

Man of the match: No-one stood out enough.

Mike Gill

Even when Rodrigo put us ahead on 20 minutes, there was a feeling of foreboding. Leeds had scored a well-taken goal and Rodrigo was almost forgiven for his recent errors. We were in front but, when confidence is low, you can feel it.

Predictably, the hulking presence of Aleksandar Mitrović brought us down to earth a few minutes later. Converting the corner was almost too easy for him. The Whites held out until the 74th minute when our old adversary Bobby de Cordova-Reid put the Cottagers ahead.

Defeat seemed the likely outcome from there on. Insult was duly added to injury by Willian10 minutes later before Crysencio Summerville slid in a consolation goal. United are in trouble. Jesse Marsch's tactics, particularly the lack of width, are exploited easily and Leeds look like relegation candidates. This side has unravelled in quick time and it's difficult to see a way out for the head coach. Time alone will tell.

Man of the match: Brenden Aaronson.

Keith Ingham

Eight games without a win, four straight defeats and a very disappointing performance from all over the pitch and it seems the fans have had enough given the reaction at the final whistle. Leeds started fairly well and were ahead after 20 minutes, Jack Harrison’s shot deflected goalwards and Rodrigo headed in at the far post. The lead lasted six minutes, Aleksandar Mitrovic unmarked heading past Illan Meslier at his near post.

In the second half, Brenden Aaronson hit one over the bar, Rodrigo fired into the side netting and Luke Ayling had an effort saved by Leno. Against the run of play Fulham made it 2-1 courtesy of a Bobby Decordova-Reid effort, Willian made it 3-1 before Summerville gave Leeds a little hope with an injury-time goal. It’s very hard to take any positives from this latest defeat and we wait to see if the under-pressure board make the decision to keep Jesse Marsch or show him the door.

Man of the match: Brenden Aaronson.