Leeds United: Can Javi Gracia’s side halt the slide? Fans and pundits have their say

Two games. Two home defeats. Eleven goals conceded. Unwanted club history for Leeds United.

On top of that, the Whites have let in 16 goals in their four Premier League games in April – that’s eight more than any other side, and one more than they conceded across January, February and March combined.

Leeds are still two points above the relegation zone, with Gracia’s record now standing at three wins, one draw and five defeats since he replaced the sacked Jesse Marsch in February. So is there cause for concern? Or has everything been blown out of proportion?

We asked BBC Radio Leeds’ Adam Pope and our club fan writer for their views, and looked through hundreds of comments sent to BBC Sport after Monday’s result.

Former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson also had his say on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.

Latest Leeds news, analysis and fan viewsGet Whites news notifications’Battered into the barricades’Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast: ‘Spineless’ Leeds defeat was ‘just horrible’Adam Pope, BBC Radio Leeds

The key question is one of spirit now. Can Leeds muster the fight to arrest the slide?

I genuinely believe there is enough technical ability within the squad to keep Leeds in the division but the implosion over three halves of football since conceding just before the break against Crystal Palace is deeply concerning.

Once Liverpool restored their two-goal advantage United folded and every time possession was lost it seemed a goal was inevitable as the side looked bent out of shape.

Head coach Javi Gracia remains composed but the steady path he was steering towards safety has battered into the barricades.

The next three games will define the scramble for the line, especially the visit of struggling Leicester City in a week’s time.

Two wins may be all that is required and appeared well within United’s grasp after beating Nottingham Forest comfortably a fortnight ago. But that was when the glass was half full. Now it feels like the dregs are being swilled.

‘Leeds fans will not accept going down without a fight’Adonis Storr, The Roaring Peacockexternal-link and BBC Sport Leeds fan writer

It’s fair to say that this Leeds United side are not great at defending.

The Whites have traditionally favoured attack over defence. From Don Revie to Marcelo Bielsa, attacking football is the club’s identity. George Graham – an exception – employed a defensive approach. It was effective but not at all entertaining.

Graham would play six defenders. But that side had probably the club’s greatest goalkeeper – Nigel Martyn – with some of the best defenders ever to wear a white shirt, including Tony Dorigo and Lucas Radebe.

Today’s side is not that team of the mid-90s, not even close.

If Leeds are to avoid relegation they must play to their strengths: attacking with youth and pace. Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto have at times been Leeds’ best players – fearless and direct – and that’s something the team needs.

Attack as the best form of defence is a favoured strategy.

Play attacking football and Gracia and the Leeds players will find Elland Road can intimidate the opposition into error. But Leeds fans will not accept going down without a fight.

Listen to BBC Radio Leeds’ full post-Liverpool Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds’There’s a lot going wrong for Leeds at the wrong time of the season’Former Leeds goalkeeper Robinson is concerned by what he is seeing from his former club and says things are going wrong at the worst possible time.

The ex-England international told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club: “Their goal difference was favourable before, now it’s taken another hit. Goal difference can almost be another point in a relegation battle.

“It was the performances and the way they conceded those goals. You look back at the Crystal Palace game – the first half, they were in the game. They were excellent, they played well and then capitulated in the second half.

“They don’t have another way of playing. When they were 2-1 up against Nottingham Forest, they were committing bodies forward and almost conceded chances.

“Liverpool almost seemed to pick them off at will in the second half. Leeds came out with a bit of fight, got the goal and lifted the crowd – and you thought we were in for a real game. Once again, Leeds were exposed at the back and Liverpool were excellent going forward.

“Leeds could have lost this by a lot more. It was players’ performances, the lack of communication t
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