Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Tuesday, 11 October.
Kristensen praise
Noel Whelan has saluted the mentality of Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen after his performance in the defeat at Crystal Palace. Kristensen has had a challenging start to life at Elland Road but produced arguably his best display yet against one of the league’s most dangerous wingers Wilfried Zaha.
Zaha was unable to have his usual impact on the game until the latter stages when Leeds began to tire and space opened up. Speaking to Football Insider, former Whites striker Whelan hailed Kristensen as ‘top-class’ following his performance.
“I think it was one of the best games I’ve seen him play. He kept a really good and talented Wilfried Zaha quiet.
READ MORE: 'Fantastic' - Leeds United supporters react to Under-21s win as Wilfried Gnonto scores
“Again, sometimes when you come to a new league and club it can be hard to get your rhythm and confidence together. He’s one of these players who seem to have the mental strength and capability to just get on and overcome any hurdles that might be in his way.
“I’m really seeing a top-class player and a top-class signing, along with the likes of Tyler Adams.”
Skubala delight at latest U21s win
Michael Skubala was delighted to see his Leeds United U21s side overcome a huge test at Sunderland to grind out a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light. The result saw Leeds continue their unbeaten start to the season and retain their spot at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table, but they were certainly made to work for it.
The Whites named an unchanged side on Wearside, meaning the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Wilfried Gnonto started for the second youth game running, but they were met with a strong Sunderland outfit, with the Black Cats using the contest as an opportunity to give first-team players some minutes. However, Skubala took the opportunity to hail his side’s superb defensive performance with Cody Drameh, Morten Spencer, Kris Moore and Harvey Sutcliffe all picking praise for helping to keep their hosts at bay in front of a small crowd.
He said: “A top test for both teams. They had a good team out, we had a good team out and we knew it'd be a strong game. They've got some really good players on loan from big clubs and they've got tricky wingers.
“I thought the first half was a real sort of open but toe to toe game and then I thought, second half, we dominated. We'd got inside, changed a few things and tidied up a few things and I thought we were good.”
Read more here.
U21s ratings
Will Jackson was at the U21s' victory last night and he has dished out his marks out of ten...
Kristoffer Klaesson: Produced a superb stop in the first half to block Amad Diallo’s curling free-kick. Handled everything Sunderland threw his way. 8
Cody Drameh: Another strong performance at right-back. He handled Costa Rica international Jewison Bennette well and got forward on a couple of occasions. Hit the post a few moments before Leeds opened the scoring. 8
Harvey Sutcliffe: Took a booking early on for bringing down Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo, but handled the Ivory Coast international well for a majority of the game. Limped off late in the game. 7
Read more here.
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- 'Small margins' - National verdict on Leeds United's defeat at Crystal Palace
- Pascal Struijk laments lack of killer instinct following Leeds United's defeat at Crystal Palace
- Leeds United injury list and key return dates ahead of tough Arsenal test
