West Brom hammering helped Leeds United make 'big statement' at Bramall Lane, says Adam Forshaw

Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw has revealed that the Whites 4-1 defeat to West Brom "may be a blessing in disguise" and felt Marcelo Bielsa's team made a "big statement" with victory over Sheffield United last weekend.
Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw in action against West Brom.Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw in action against West Brom.
Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw in action against West Brom.

United fell to a humbling defeat at the Hawthorns in early November but have since responded by winning all three of their Championship outings since.

Victories over Bristol City and Reading came on home soil before a historic Yorkshire derby victory over Chris Wilder's Blades saw Leeds claim all three points at Bramall Lane for the first time sine April 1992.

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Forshaw, who was speaking ahead of this weekend's clash with Queens Park Rangers, admitted that the loss to the Baggies was something United have since taken a lot of lessons from believing it could help shape the season.

Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw in action against West Brom.Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw in action against West Brom.
Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw in action against West Brom.

"I think it may be a blessing in disguise," said the 27-year-old.

Marcelo Bielsa insists there is 'no need' for January signings despite growing injury list at Leeds United"Obviously it was a bit of a hammering on the scoreline and I don't think the game had shown that really. I think going into the next batch of games we really learned from it.

"We locked out well when we had possession and it wasn't as open. I think we've shown a lot of maturity in the last three games."

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Forshaw, who helped Leeds claim a 1-0 win over Sheffield United last weekend thanks to a mistake from goalkeeper Dean Henderson, says he saw a new side to Bielsa's team which had been missing before.

"It was a different win," he continued.

"We might not have won games like that in the past. I always talk about our fitness, we were very man-to-man based in the game and at times we felt really comfortable.

"Obviously we got a slice of luck for the goal but you deserve that and you have to take it when it comes. It was a different win to what I've experienced since I've been here and that was the most pleasing thing.

Leeds United's injury list in full - and how many games they've missed this season"I think it was the first time this season that we haven't had the most possession in the game but you win however you can. It's a points business and it was really pleasing. We dug in after a long hard week - it was quite a big statement.

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"I think it was set up for goals and in the end it was a tight game and you look at it and they're probably going to be in the top six at the end of the season so for us to go there and get the result was massive.

Forshaw was also asked about whether games against fellow promotion contenders would define the season, saying: "I've never really looked into it like that.

"I just think you can only take the next game. You never really look at the big ones and just take whatever is in front of you. This league is mad so if you approach every game as it comes and don't really look ahead to the big ones then you're on a good course."