Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has criticised the team's defending in their win over Fulham, claiming it has "not been good enough" for a while.
The Whites picked up a welcome 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage last Friday, with goals from Patrick Bamford and Raphinha getting them over the line.
The win saw Marcelo Bielsa's side jump to 11th place in the Premier League, as their impressive first season back in the top flight continues.
There was some shaky defending on show at times against Fulham, however, with Illan Meslier needing to be in inspired form in the Leeds goal.
[freshpress-quiz id=“347980"]
Whelan tears into Leeds' defending
While some perhaps ignored the Whites' issues at the back because of the positive result, someone who wasn't impressed is Whelan.
Speaking to Football Insider, the ex-Leeds man highlighted where Bielsa's men need to improve, giving an honest assessment of their shortcomings:
"It’s the art of defending. You’ve got to be up for the fight. You can’t let men get around you and you’ve got to rise to that competition.
"We’ve got to get the match-ups right. We recognised they weren’t and changed it at half-time.
"But they’ve got to be right from the off. You can’t keep getting them wrong and then changing them halfway through. We did that in the previous game as well.
"It’s not been good enough for the past few games. It’s one of those where that is just as important as the marking itself, if not more important.
"Bielsa’s got to get the match-ups right. If you get Llorente up against Andersen then he probably doesn’t score that goal."
Transfer Tavern take
Leeds' defending is certainly an area that needs to be improved upon next season, with 47 goals conceded in 29 league matches not a flattering tally.
For all their attacking flair and intensity off the ball, being solid at the back is still arguably the key to finding consistency and Bielsa will hopefully know that.
In other news, one Leeds player has hinted at a move elsewhere this summer - find out who it is here.