QPR 4 Leeds United 0 – running out of steam

QPR 4 Leeds United 0 – running out of steam.  Leeds United did a number on themselves – that team that had a mean defence, dominated possession and a winning mentality, was all gone.  It is now about Farke getting one last ounce of energy from them to get through the play-offs.

After a nervous few matches Leeds United found their boots again with a high scoring match at Middlesbrough.  The only game when it will be as nervous as this one for Leeds fans is the next one – the final match of the season at home against Southampton FC.  Leeds had to win this match first to stay in the race for a chance of automatic promotion.  QPR also still have their own business to deal with- avoiding relegation.  When Leeds played QPR earlier in the season it was a scrappy win – the QPR coach, Gareth Ainsworth, then lost his job.  Now Fuentes has helped QPR to climb out of the relegation zone.

This was no time for Leeds to lose players but Patrick Bamford, who started scoring again, is out with a bruised knee.  Joel Piroe started – Farke tends to go for experience and maturity.  Dan James, out with an injury, is another significant loss, with his pace. 

QPR started on the front foot not allowing Leeds to settle down.  This earned QPR an early goal, with Chair given time to shoot to the far post with Rodon’s shoulder deflecting it past Meslier.  Shades of Middlesbrough when we went a goal down early on too.

QPR packed midfield to keep Leeds into their own half and moved the ball well with Leeds struggling to press.  Their poor discipline chasing the ball earning yellow cards.  When Leeds had the chance to build from the back their forward passing was poor.

All credit to QPR they used set pieces – long throws into the box – that Leeds failed to defend.  Leeds uncharacteristically were left standing as Andersen found the space for a thumping shot into the net.

On the half hour Leeds woke up with some positive passing and a strong shot from Summerville that Begovic saved well. Leeds inability to connect showed late in the second half when Firpo made a searching ball across the QPR ball but Piroe was far from the action. 

Leeds come out in the second half all guns blazing winning second balls and surging forward.  It was Georginio who led the attack but was off target.  Finally, on the hour, Leeds finally started moving the ball around in QPR’s half.  But QPR still the more dangerous with their set piece corners.  Chair for QPR was constantly finding moments to shoot. 

After all the effort by Leeds QPR continued to look dangerous in attack and set pieces – with a third goal from a corner adding to the misery.  With all their corners Leeds could not fashion a goal.  Farke effectively admitted defeat when he took off Summerville and Georginio in the last ten minutes with all the subs given game time. 

Another set piece corner. Another goal – the fourthl.  The manner of defeat showed Leeds have run out of energy.  It was not just that QPR knew how to score against Leeds but that Leeds had lost their form – worn out, mentally tired, and out of ideas.  The poor defending against set pieces, loss of confidence, and passing not clicking was like watching a different team.  It is a now about Farke motivating the young squad to believe they can get through the play offs.

Man of the match: it’s hard to choose any player who stood out tonight but credit to Archie Gray who kept looking for the forwards.