Leeds United may be through to the next round of the FA Cup, but it was far from a comfortable afternoon at St Andrew’s.
Even during the win over Birmingham City, there was clear frustration on the Leeds bench.
Goalkeeping coach Ed Wootten was spotted more than once leaving his seat to shout instructions and fire up the players in the first half.
It showed just how unhappy the staff were with what they were seeing on the pitch.
Leeds did get the job done in the end, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw. But the first 45 minutes were worrying, and the reaction from the coaching team said it all.
Leeds Struggle in Slow and Sloppy First Half
From the first whistle, Leeds looked flat. They were second to lose balls, slow in possession and not sharp enough in attack. For a team from a higher division, they did not play like it.
Birmingham started brighter. The home crowd created a strong atmosphere, and the Blues fed off it. They pressed high and caused problems early on.
Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri had to make a brilliant save to stop Jay Stansfield from scoring with a powerful effort. Without that moment, Leeds could have been behind very early.
Birmingham had more shots and looked more dangerous going forward. They also had more of the ball in the first half, which would have shocked many fans.
Leeds only managed a few weak efforts at goal and never really tested the Birmingham keeper.
On the touchline, Wootten was clearly not happy. He was seen shouting towards the pitch and trying to lift the players.
It was not calm instructions, it looked like a proper telling-off. The message was simple: wake up and play better.
Manager Daniel Farke also looked frustrated. He knew his side was lucky to go into the break at 0-0.
Second-Half Response Shows Character
To their credit, Leeds did improve after the restart. Just a few minutes into the second half, they found the breakthrough.
Lukas Nmecha finished well after being played through by Noah Okafor. There were questions about offside, but the goal was given.
onefootball.com
That moment gave Leeds belief. They looked sharper and more direct. The passing was quicker, and the movement improved.
But just when it seemed they would see the game out, Birmingham struck late. Patrick Roberts scored near the end of normal time, sending the home fans wild and forcing extra time.
It was a blow for Leeds, who had worked hard to get in front. Still, they did not panic. They stayed focused and took the tie to penalties.
Penalty Nerve and Lessons to Learn
In the shootout, Leeds showed strong nerve. They took their penalties well and came out on top. It was not pretty, but it was effective.
While fans will be happy to see the club in the next round, the performance raised concerns. Leeds cannot afford to start games slowly, especially with big league matches coming soon.
The reaction from Wootten on the touchline showed that the coaching staff demand higher standards. Even in a win, they expect more from the players.
Farke will likely remind his squad that cup ties can punish poor starts. Against stronger opposition, a sloppy first half could cost them the match.
In the end, Leeds survived. They showed fight and character after a poor opening. But the clear message from the bench was this: improvement is needed.
The result keeps their FA Cup hopes alive. The performance, though, gives the coaches plenty to think about before the next big test.
For more Leeds United news, gear, and match updates, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates directly to your phone.
Discover more from Leeds United News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
