Leeds United player ratings with Aaronson and Piroe poor in insipid Blackburn Rovers loss

Leeds United failed to return to the top of the Championship on Saturday afternoon after losing 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers. In what was only a third loss of the season, the Whites were distinctly poor and did not deserve much more from the game.

The first half had not gone the way the Whites wanted it to. Todd Cantwell stuck away a penalty after Ao Tanaka had bundled over Tyrhys Dolan in the away box. Meanwhile, the response from the visitors was muted, despite their vastly superior possession.

The second half saw little change in the flow of the game. Pressure built from the visitors, but the hosts never looked in any particular danger.

Leeds United (4-2-3-1)

1 Illan Meslier

Never the favourite to save the penalty. Didn't have a whole lot else to do. Claimed what he needed to. 6

2 Jayden Bogle

Booked for a frustrated pull on Tyrhys Dolan. Didn't have much influence on the game in attack and looked a little exposed in defence at times. One of those perhaps a touch tired in their third batch of 90 minutes in six days. 5

6 Joe Rodon

Steady enough in central defence. Did well to crowd out Yuki Ohashi at one stage when he got in behind. Looked hurried in possession. 6

5 Pascal Struijk (c)

Run ragged by Dolan ahead of the penalty shout, which eventually tripped up Ao Tanaka. One decent attacking header caught the eye. Just never looked especially comfortable. 5

3 Junior Firpo

Given a very stern examination by Dolan on his return to action. Looked really loose and off the pace in defence. Attacking marginally better, but never got that moment the team needed from him. 4

22 Ao Tanaka

A first error from the Japanese midfielder? It was a clumsy collision with Dolan he should not have steamed into in that part of the pitch. Not an afternoon where his passing thrived nor his control of the play. 6

8 Joe Rothwell

Exactly the performance the locals wanted to see from him. All kinds of abuse from the terraces. Passing never stood out. Looked sluggish in defence and overrun by Blackburn's physicality in the engine room. 5

7 Daniel James

A shadow of the confident player we saw in midweek. Never had a run at things nor made anything happen off his own back. 4

11 Brenden Aaronson

A poor footnote to what's been a week of mounting pressure on the American's place in the team. No influence on the play and no flair to unlock the hosts. Anything which fell his way was poorly executed. 3

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29 Wilfried Gnonto

Had the best of the Leeds chances, even if they were generally comfortable for the goalkeeper. Still looked the best threat after the break, but didn't get lucky. 5

10 Joel Piroe

Really poor. Barely involved. Should have done better with the one moment he was gifted by a short back pass. 3

Substitutes

26 Karl Darlow

9 Patrick Bamford (on for Piroe 69min)

Some strength and nous, but nothing to threaten Aynsley Pears. 5

14 Manor Solomon (on for Gnonto 69min)

No influence on the match. 5

17 Largie Ramazani (on for Aaronson 69min)

A welcome batch of extended minutes, but couldn't unbalance Blackburn. 5

19 Mateo Joseph (on for Rothwell 82min)

A late roll of the dice. N/A

23 Josuha Guilavogui

37 James Debayo

39 Max Wober

50 Charlie Crew