With Leeds United going down 2-0 to Preston North End in yesterday evening’s EFL Cup tie, there were both positives and negatives to take from the display.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa’s first defeat in the season of 2018/19 still saw a much-changed side ultimately dominate possession and chances at goal with 26 attempts in total, but we couldn’t find a way past their keeper in the eight we managed to get on target.
A penalty and a second effort from them in the first half was enough to take the win from their seven efforts on target.
With some players not doing themselves any credit at all on the day, these fans who took to social media to react to the match were largely content as they were keeping their eyes on something far more important – the Championship table.
Players rested ✅
Chance to see more of the squad ✅
Chance to see where needs strengthening before the loan window shuts ✅
Concentrate on the league ✅
Big game at home Friday ✅Well done Preston ✅ hope they go on to have a good run ????♂️ #lufc #mot
— JAMES LUFC MOT (@Jimlufc) August 28, 2018
100% focus on the league now , cups games are just a distraction #Lufc
— Laura (@lauralufcmot) August 28, 2018
Can’t remember the last time I was this nonplussed about getting knocked out of the League Cup early. Rather get the loss out of the way there and against another championship side. Bigger fish to fry #LUFC
— Anthony Lewis (@tonylewis92) August 28, 2018
Disappointing! But not really. a cup is a cup, our goal is the Championship, I am hoping that's what we focus on. Bring on Boro! #mot #lufc @lufc
— Nigel Duncan (@DuncanNigel1) August 28, 2018
Would rather be out of the #EFLCup than in it. The league is the priority for #lufc and Friday night is going to be a big game.
— Arron Scott Marshall (@ArronSMarshall) August 28, 2018
Against 10 men. Yes #lufc
— Brian Smith (@BrianSmithlufc) August 28, 2018
Didn’t sound like we deserved anything out of the game. Move on from that and onto Fridays game #lufc
— James (@JSteer_LUFC) August 28, 2018
Defeats never nice but with our squad depth, we can do without the Mickey Mouse cup games and focus on the league #lufc
— Harry (@Harrynsw) August 28, 2018
Taking nothing from that tonight lacked the cutting edge in the final third..9 changes to a winning team with a few young ens, let’s get three points Friday !! #lufc
— Joe stewart (@Lufcstewj) August 28, 2018
That's the Treble out the window then #lufc
— Will (@WillHardaker93) August 28, 2018
least I know even after a defeat we’ll stick to our principles and that’s massively important #lufc
— Armo ☀️???? (@Jordan_Armo) August 28, 2018
Leeds lost a game using their backup 11. That’s ok. No need to panic! No need to sack the manager! No need to set the house on fire! They’ll beat Middlesbrough on Friday and it will all be normal again! ✌️???????? #lufc #MOT
— Emi (@EmiBanciu) August 28, 2018
The more traditional amongst the fan base will be more irate with the loss, but the EFL Cup has been devalued by the EFL themselves it seems, so those fans aren’t alone in prioritising the league and I guess feelings will be different when it comes to the FA Cup itself.