Paul Merson wasn’t convinced by Leeds United’s performance against Nottingham Forest, despite the visitors leaving the City Ground with all three points.
Anton Stach’s late free-kick secured a 1-0 win for Leeds on the opening weekend, but Merson felt the result didn’t really reflect how the game had gone. Speaking on Soccer Saturday, the former Arsenal midfielder suggested Forest were the better side for much of the afternoon.
“I’m not sure about that [Leeds challenging for Europe]. They were solid and stuck in there, but I think if anyone deserved to win today it was Forest.”
Oliver Glasner’s side created the better openings, with Nikola Milenkovic hitting the post in the first half and Igor Jesus also coming close on more than one occasion.
James Trafford had to make some important saves for Leeds, while Matz Sels also kept Forest level by denying Tarik Muharemovic’s header.
The game was eventually decided by Stach’s free-kick in the 88th minute, putting Leeds United ahead.
Paul Merson warns Leeds not to get carried away
For Paul Merson, the concern isn’t the result itself. It’s how Leeds played.
“They kept going, they kept it tight at the back, and they got their goal at the end.”
Leeds stayed in the contest and took their opportunity when it arrived, but Merson doesn’t believe that approach will be enough if they have ambitions of pushing towards Europe.
“I don’t think they will be pulling up any trees if they play like that every week.”
Leeds finished last season strongly under Daniel Farke, and have also spent just over £80m on new additions this summer. That has naturally led to some discussion about what they could achieve this time around.
Merson is far less optimistic.
“If they play like that every week, then they will be where they were last season.”
He did, however, stop short of suggesting Leeds will be caught up in another relegation battle.
“I don’t think they will be fighting for relegation because they have got some decent players.”
Forest will feel they left points behind
From Forest’s perspective, the opening-day defeat was more about what they failed to take from the game.
Glasner admitted afterwards that the match was always likely to be decided by one key moment.
“The one situation that will decide and one set-piece will decide. It was a game with very rare chances. Really disappointed.”
That set-piece ultimately went Leeds’ way.
Glasner was also encouraged by the way Forest controlled more of the game after half-time as Paul Merson suggested that the home side deserved something more from the afternoon.
Leeds now have to prove Paul Merson wrong, as they welcome Brentford next at home. A good opening-day result is certainly useful, but the performance has left questions for the Whites to answer.
