Leeds United's former striker Noel Whelan has blasted his old side for their insipid display in the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, insisting that possession is nothing without penetration.
Steve Evans’ side succumbed to another league defeat, which further dented their hopes of making it to the playoff spots.
Nelson Oliviera, who had scored in the reverse fixture on 27th December 2015 which ended in a 1-1 draw, scored the winner for Dougie Freedman’s side in the 60th minute to help Nottingham Forest extend their unbeaten run in the Championship.
The Whites’ suffered their first home loss in seven games, as Oliviera placed Eric Lichaj’s right wing cross past the goalkeeper to score his eighth goal of this campaign.
Whelan, who is the co-commentator for all Leeds United games on BBC Radio Leeds, believes it was a lacklustre performance by Evans’ side, who lacked penetration.
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The 41-year-old highlighted that possession is useless unless a team is hurting the opposition and scoring goals because of it.
Writing in his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post, Whelan said: “Leeds did not have any answers.
“It was a lacklustre performance, with too many side-to-side passes and the ball going backwards.
“I understand what Steve is saying. Possession is great, but possession means nothing to me unless you are hurting a team in opposition.
“You can have all of the territory in the world and possession in the world, but if you are not hurting them in any way and scoring goals, you are not going to win games.”
The Elland Road outfit have slipped to 16th in the league table and host Middlesbrough at home on 15th Ferbruary.
