Pundit backs Leeds to replace £29m summer recruit after woeful outing

Rodrigo TEAMtalk

A former Aston Villa striker has mooted that Leeds United could look to bring in another striker during the January transfer window.

The Whites suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to Crawley Town in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Marcelo Bielsa came under fire for his team selection and could be tempted to search for reinforcements after a poor display from his side.

Patrick Bamford was rested as £29million Rodrigo given the nod to lead the line. The striker, who arrived in the summer, put in a disappointing performance.

Now, ex-Villa attacker and pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has backed Leeds to bring in a replacement backup frontman.

“I think most managers would want three strikers,” he told Football Insider.

“Bamford has been great this season but if he gets an injury can you rely on Rodrigo?

 

 

“As much as everyone is on the case for Leeds for that performance it can happen.

“I’ve played in games in the FA Cup where there can be an upset because if you’re not playing at 100 per cent you can get turned over by any club, no matter what level they are and I think that’s what happened to Leeds. Crawley just wanted it more and that can happen in football.

“He [Bielsa] will be disappointed and he might look at bringing in another striker who can come in and fill in for Bamford when he’s rested or injured.”

Rodrigo has scored three times in 18 games this season while Bamford has notched ten in 17 matches.

Bielsa reveals reason for Crawley loss

Bielsa admitted that his side let Crawley maintain too much of the ball on Sunday.

Leeds did have 71 per cent possession but ended up having less shots and ultimately goals than their opponents.

We couldn’t unbalance them when we attacked,” he told BBC Sport. “We had the ball for a long period of time but we couldn’t do much with it.

“In the first half it was a first half where we played better than the opponent and the game was played how we wanted it to be played, even if we didn’t create much danger.

“The result generates a lot of sadness and disappointment for us.”

It was just the second time ever that a top-flight side lost to a fourth tier club by three goals.

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