Leeds United started the 2017-18 Championship season with great elegance under new boss Thomas Christiansen but lost their way completely in recent weeks and suffered 5 defeats in their last seven league outings. They were humbled at home against Derby County and Sheffield United in two previous games that threw them out of top six for the time being.
Christiansen was in great anxiety ahead of their trip to Griffin Park in order to encounter Brentford, who were enjoying a seven-game unbeaten streak (4W 3D) and Dean Smith, the Bees boss, was confident of continuing their upsurge against the struggling Peacocks.
The game, however, ended in another defeat for the visitors as two late goals helped the Bees clinch a 3-1 win.
Leeds United Players Rated And Slated
Andrew Lonergan: 3
A disastrous outing by the veteran custodian as his mistakes proved costly for the visitors who conceded thrice this evening, two of which should have saved by Lonergan.
Luke Ayling: 5
Ayling never looked convincing defensively and despite making a few forward runs, his final balls lacked accuracy something that he needs to work on.
Pontus Jansson: 5
Jansson conceded a penalty late in the first half as he fouled Neal Maupay inside the box which, however, was skied by Ollie Watkins. Made some crucial clearances but never looked convincing enough to earn defensive stability.
Liam Cooper: 6
Cooper won a few duels, made some crucial interceptions but could not prevent his side from suffering another defeat.
Gaetano Berardi: 6.5
Had a decent outing as he made the defensive contribution as well as attacking movements and whipped in few intriguing crosses inside the box.
Eunan O’Kane: 6
Tried his best to win back possession and play it upward to create chances. But he was taken off at half-time and was replaced by Pablo Hernandez that implied Christiansen’s desperateness to score a goal as he risked to substitute a holding midfielder in order to bring on an attacking replacement.
Ronaldo Vieira: 6.5
Vieira lost too many duels but played a lot of passes to keep the game floating and tested the Brentford custodian Daniel Bentley with his decent long-range strikes.
Kalvin Phillips: 6
An average outing by the youngster in the middle of the park who could not create much up front like his previous games.
