Leeds united 2 Fulham FC 3 – Time for Marsch to go

Leeds United 3 Fulham FC 3. After a bright start Leeds are gradually pulled apart by Fulham FC. Marsch has not fixed the defence and how to score. He has had the signings and time to gel the players. Now is the time for Marsch to go.

Another raft of changes to the team with Marsch struggling to find a winning formula. On the plus side Struijk is back from injury. On the negative side Bamford is dropped to the bench. Summerville is also dropped and Greenwood is tried this time. Ayling has his first start which is a negative to me as Kristensen is one of Leeds’ best performing players.

Fulham FC may be in the top half of the table but our record is good against them. After a bright start by Leeds, with Harrison being busy on the right, and Greenwood having a speculative shot, Fulham get into the game with Wilian causing problems on the left. Fulham have an early moment with a clear close range shot on goal. Meslier is beaten but Roca slides in for a goal line.

Then Aaronson finds Harrison in space who takes on the keeper but a sliding tackle sends the ball high up by the goal, Rodrigo jumps higher than two defenders to head the ball cleanly into the net. No crazy dancing this time. A much needed goal from him after seven barren matches.

There was a slight delay on 22 minutes with a supporter injury. The game is quickly restarted but the fans feel it was too soon and give the referee some grief. Fulham FC then score from a corner from Mitrovic. A simple set piece with a glancing header in front of Meslier, beating Ayling.

The referee is having a good game. He sees a bit of play acting from Fulham and awards the free kick to Leeds United . But Leeds United should have gone down 2-0 on the half hour when, from a Leeds United corner when Fulham counter attack and Meslier makes a massive save. Fulham FC are fighting hard and taking the initiative, moving the ball quickly down the wings – Wilian is a handful.

The game opens up with end to end attacks. Sinisterra is threatening on the left but, after an earlier heavy tackle, goes down in theatrical style. Then Mitrovic is down and the final five minutes of the first half is a drag.

Half time, both teams are matching each other. Leeds United need to find that synchronicity of the first quarter of an hour with passes clicking together. Too many of Leeds’ forward passes are going astray. Sinisterra is the most inventive but Rodrigo’s last touch is letting him down. And again, we are not testing the the goalkeeper.

Second half shambles

Leeds start brightly with Rodrigo on target and Aaronson trying a lob. Fulham looking for the counter attack and Meslier is there to save Leeds again. Leeds finding the target in the second half. Summerville and Bamford on, on the hour. Rodrigo and Sinisterra off still struggling with his knock. Bamford is on 99 league goals.

Summerville and Aaronson pace show signs of getting the ball to Bamford who has shot saved. Another Fulham FC player dives with the assistant referee agreeing but the referee gives Fulham FC the free kick. Mitrovic free header goes wide.

The nail in the coffin comes from the second attempt on the corner and the Fulham FC score. Klich is brought on replacing Greenwood. Marsch’s tactics have seen Leeds United give away a lead. Then a thrown in from near the touch line Leeds to third goal for Fulham as they take apart the Leeds defence. Gelhardt is brought on for a pointless five minutes.

The crowd have had enough with Marsch with an angry atmosphere. Leeds’ future players Gelhardt and Summerville link up to run through Fulham defence for a consolation goal. Leeds United had more possession, more shots but were undone in defence. And are now in the relegation zone.

Man of the match: Sinisterra