'Always a problem' - Rio Ferdinand spots major Leeds United issue for Jesse Marsch

Prior to Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge of Leeds United, Rio Ferdinand in the BT Sport studio analysed what major problems face the American as he takes to the Elland Road dugout. 

Marcelo Bielsa’s last game in charge was a 4-0 demolition job inflicted on them by Spurs, continuing a string of defeats that saw them concede an eye watering amount of goals. The results left Leeds as the side that had conceded the most goals in the division, showing Marsch that he needs to stop them leaking as soon as possible if they are to stay up.

Former Leeds man Ferdinand looked at the opening goal in the Spurs defeat, scored by Matt Doherty. He analysed why it looked so easy for Spurs to carve the Whites open and why Bielsa’s tactics let them down.

Speaking in the build up to the Leicester game, he had this to say : “That was always a problem that a lot of teams worked out. If any player in the team ran with the ball, especially from these type of areas, it drew players to them, which then inevitably enabled other players to have space, you see here, Sessegnon, acres of space to run into”

“A big part of this goal [Matt Doherty vs Leeds] obviously, the goalscorer is up at the top of the picture, Doherty, you can see him there, but I want you to get your eyes on Firpo the left back. He attaches himself to his man, man marking was Bielsa’s trait, he loved it. He goes into his man there which then opens this area for someone like Doherty to run into unopposed.”

It doesn’t take a genius to see the problems Leeds have, they concede cheap goals. Ferdinand picked out a reason why they have though, showing the new Leeds boss what he needs to work on and improve at Elland Road.

He takes over with the club in a perilous position, worryingly