Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright believes Leeds United's tactical approach played a major part in the Whites' defensive woes during their 2-2 draw against West Ham United on Wednesday night.
Despite taking the lead through Wilfried Gnonto's opener and dominating large periods of an emotional affair at Elland Road, Leeds found themselves 2-1 down in the 46th-minute courtesy of goals from Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca either side of the interval.
Whilst Rodrigo subsequently equalised and came close to winning the game in injury time, boss Jesse Marsch was left to bemoan his side's inconsistent ability to play at their full potential as both sides were left to settle for a point.
READ MORE: Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United's draw, frustration, Klich's decision, Wober, Aaronson
However, Wright, who enjoyed a 15-month spell with West Ham between 1998 and 1999, told BBC's Match of the Day that blame could be attributed towards the American after his former side caught Leeds on the break and won a penalty to equalise.
"When you look at the first goal, this is coming up to half-time. Look how many men they're still committing forward. It's a time when you think they should drop off, get to half time and settle down a bit," Wright explained.
"But they don't. West Ham have got four players up there and once they get into that situation, Leeds are now haring back. No one's really picking up Jarrod Bowen and once he comes in on the blindside it's a penalty.
"The referee plays the advantage and, obviously, it works out for West Ham but that's because Leeds are committing that many men forward at that stage. It costs them."
If Marsch was at fault for West Ham's equaliser, his compatriot Brenden Aaronson was the villain for their second after Scammacca regained possession following a loose pass from the midfielder and drilled home via the woodwork.
Wright outlined such a theory in depth and added: "It's poor play from Aaronson, he needs to shout [to Marc Roca]. For me, it's a poor ball into him without the communication.
"Coming into that area of the pitch, you've got be looking around and know what's going on around you, Aaronson didn't and he got rightly punished."
The 59-year-old, also, reserved praise for long-serving midfielder Mateusz Klich, who departs the club having made 193 appearances during his time in Yorkshire
"He was amazing under Bielsa," Wright stated. "It's nice to see the players and fans giving him that sort of send-off."
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