Leeds suffer for the cause to give Sam Allardyce hope of beating the drop

S am Allardyce has waited two years to manage a competitive match, and some might suggest that wait will go on for another week. His new Leeds side suffered at the hands of Manchester City at times but there were, in the end, positives to cling on to.

The 68-year-old only had three days on the training ground to impart his methods. It would appear those sessions were attack v defence to prepare them for facing an inevitable afternoon of City domination at the Etihad but Leeds used maximum effort, Allardyce’s minimum requirement.

Allardyce believes artificial intelligence will play a key role in professional football in the future but it might take a while to invent a concept that would make this Leeds side competitive against the likes of City. The new Leeds manager opted for a 4-5-1 formation, whereas Javi Gracia used 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 in his brief spell in charge.

Allardyce put 10 men behind the ball for 90 minutes in some desperate hope the onslaught would not result in Joel Robles being beaten. When City moved possession out wide, the back four would turn into a five but still a blue shirt would be able to receive a pass.

Leeds twice allowed Riyad Mahrez to find Ilkay Gündogan in space for two first-half goals, something unforgivable within Allardyce’s structure.

Experience is what Leeds are hoping could give them an edge in the final stages of the campaign as they look to avoid the drop. Robles was drafted in for his first Premier League appearance in almost six years, replacing No 1 Illan Meslier, a sign Allardyce is happy to make difficult decisions.

Adam Forshaw became one third of the central midfield trio, his first start of the calendar year. Forshaw’s role was a simple one: to ruffle feathers and bring