'Head in the sand' - Pundits question Leeds United after 'concerning' defeat at Nottingham Forest

Former Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday defender Jon Newsome has accused Whites manager Daniel Farke of ‘putting his head in the sand’ following his side’s defeat at fellow Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest.

It all started so well for Farke’s men as summer signing Lukas Nmecha opened the scoring with a smart finish with just 13 minutes on the clock at the City Ground. However, the hosts hit back with three minutes as Ibrahim Sangare grabbed an equaliser before England duo Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson both found the net in the second-half to ensure the Whites fell to a fourth defeat in their last five games.

The result leaves Leeds sitting just one point and two places above the Premier League relegation zone and they will hope to find some form after the international break to lay the foundations of a successful battle against an immediate return to the Championship. However, with a tough run of fixtures lying in wait as Farke’s side face the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool over the next month, Newsome in unsure whether his old club can preserve their top flight status.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after Sunday’s defeat, the former Whites defender said: “He was talking about Stach getting fouled on the halfway line, and if the referee had given that foul, then we wouldn’t have conceded the second goal. I think it’s sort of like putting your head in the sand a little bit. Interesting is how I would put it.

“I’ve not got a crystal ball, so…,” he said when asked if Leeds will avoid relegation. “He’s sort of set himself up a little bit there, hasn’t he? You know? Because, you know, especially with the big three or four massive games coming up, you know, if they suddenly fall below that line, I’m sure somebody’s going to throw that at him.”

England legend ‘concerned’ by Leeds United

Former Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney pointed to shortcomings at both ends of the pitch after Leeds United’s defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The Whites have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight Premier League fixtures after keeping two in their opening three league games of the season - and they have scored just one in their last five games as Daniel Farke struggles to find the right mix at the top end of the pitch. Rooney admitted he has some concerns over the Whites and believes Farke and his players are ‘in a bad moment’.

Speaking on Match of the Day 2, the former Red Devils star said: “I think for Leeds it’s a bit of a concern. I think all they can keep doing is keep trying to create chances and hope that the forwards will convert them, but I also think at both ends of the pitch, defensively, they’re conceding too many goals as well. I think they’re in a bad moment, and I’m sure they’ll be working on it and trying to get out of it.”

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