It`s certainly not easy being a Leeds fan.
For a large portion of the game yesterday, it looked to be another demoralising defeat, but from somewhere, the players found some form to rescue a point. That draw could even have been a win if Lasogga`s last gasp effort was just an inch or two lower. So where do we go from here?
The Whites still haven`t won this calendar year, the 2-2 against Bristol City means we have kept the eight-point gap to sixth place. We are remarkably still in with a shout despite a wretched start to 2018, and there are certainly a few lessons we can take from Paul Heckingbottom’s second match in charge:
1) We still can`t score first
One of the most notable trends in the club`s eight match winless run in the league is that we have failed to open the scoring in any of them. The three draws and five defeats have seen the Whites score ten goals; none of which however have been the opening goal.
The manager must get to the bottom of this if we are going to turn around our dreadful recent form. Having to constantly chase games is both physically and mentally tiring, and the fact that we never have control of a game means victories will always be hard to come by.
2) Genuine team spirit shown
It`s good to see the team taking the match by the scruff of the neck in the second half. Our fans played a major part in making the fightback happen, especially after Lasogga made it 2-1 with twenty minutes to go in the tie.
Considering the run that we are on, the players` heads could have easily dropped, but they were willing to work hard to get back into the game; something the new boss would no doubt have taken note of.
With a number of players coming back in contention for our trip to Derby, we need to use the momentum and energy from that display in the last half an hour as a launch pad for better performances.
3) Still more to come from Lasogga
The German was signed to be Chris Wood`s replacement, and his early season form looked to have consigned the New Zealander`s sale to history, but for that thigh injury in November which led to a lengthy spell out of the starting eleven.
His first league start in two months against Millwall in January; however, has seen him return to form, with four goals in his last five games, including the one yesterday.
We need him to be fit and firing over the next few weeks and months to turn our season around. With the impending return of Samu Saiz as well, hopefully we can see our attacking threat greatly increased against Derby and in other upcoming matches.
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