Leeds United fans, players and everyone else of an Elland Road persuasion will be ruing the fact that The Whites do not play until next Saturday, following this weekend’s car-crash against Swansea City.
Twice, Leeds United took the lead at Elland Road. Brenden Aaronson scoring after a rough few weeks for The American, Illan Meslier saving a penalty after a season littered with mistakes. It felt like Leeds’ day.
But type reverted to type. A corner curled in by Swansea caused no harm, but Meslier dropped the ball at the feet of Harry Darling – completely unchallenged. The nightmare of Hull reared its ugly head again.
Even then, it might have been Leeds’ day. Wilfried Gnonto only got a few minutes despite Daniel Farke saying he came close to starting Gnonto, but he lashed home his sixth goal of the season late on.
Paul Merson explains why he is worried for Leeds United
But Leeds are Leeds, and Meslier is Meslier. Zan Vipotnik tried an effort from the corner of the penalty area in more hope than expectation, yet the pace of the ball proved too much for Meslier on 96 minutes.
A 2-2 draw when Leeds should have won it, and now they sit second – two points behind Sheffield United and level with Burnley who are improving their goal difference. Merson’s concern for Leeds is two-fold.
Merson told Sky Sports that games run out quickly, and Leeds are a massive club: “As soon as it goes out your hands, you’re in big trouble. There’s not a lot of games to go. Win seven, they’re promoted.
“But one more [slip up], those games go very, very quickly. Exactly the same last year, little meltdown. This is a huge club, when it’s a huge club it brings extra pressure. Today, I thought they’d get away with it.”
Leeds United fans left to dwell for an entire week before Luton
Not only will Leeds have to wait another six days before next Saturday’s trip to Kenilworth Road, but The Whites come up against a side fighting for their lives and suddenly, out of nowhere, in decent form.
Better form than Leeds, for sure. From the last five games, Luton have picked up 10 points – winning three times while Leeds have managed just one win in five. Not only that, but it is a lunchtime kick-off.
Kick-offs before 1.30PM have proved to be a bogey for Leeds this season for some reason, the last early kick-off resulting in a 2-2 draw with QPR. The pressure is mounting ahead of Luton, next Saturday.
‘Big trouble’: Paul Merson explains why he is really nervous for Leeds United after Swansea draw
