Leeds United fans are disappointed after the U21s exit from the Papa John's Trophy in the group stages for a third successive year. The Whites were defeated 2-1 on penalties by Crewe Alexandra after being held to a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes despite naming the likes of Mateusz Klich, Junior Firpo, Joe Gelhardt and Wilfried Gnonto in their starting XI.
Leeds earned just one point from their exploits at Gresty Road and would've exited the competition even with a win in the shootout on goals scored. The extra point that would've been gained from a shootout victory would not have been enough as Tranmere Rovers scored one more goal than the young Whites in their three matches.
Firpo, Mateo Joseph, Sonny Perkins and Darko Gyabi were the men who missed for Michael Skubala's side after Mateusz Klich had netted the first. Here is how Leeds fans have reacted to the result.
READ MORE: Ex-Leeds United winger leaves Barcelona 'completely baffled' after his start to life at Camp Nou
@mightywhitespod: "Leeds lose 2-1 on pens after five each. After Klich's pen - the ones from Firpo, Joseph, Perkins and Gyabi were all terrible. Luckily it made no difference to anything. Could tell in the players they knew it didn't matter."
@Ross__Pearce: "Firpo still hasn't found his level when playing against League Two opposition. I genuinely don't want to see him anywhere near the first team."
@maverickrhino: "Leeds U21s produce the worst penalty shootout performance I have ever seen."
@markydh: "That must be one of the worst penalty shootouts I've ever seen. All five appallingly struck."
@UnitedLeeds_1: "We were never good at penalties. Absolute joke that Crewe won that game on the night they parked the bus the whole night at home, embarrassing."
@DirtyLeeds5: "U21s were very poor tonight like watching paint dry."
@delmeister1: "U21s were woeful tonight.. Crewe there for the taking but the performance was very poor. Lots of work to be done. The less said about the penalty shootout the better, reckon the U9s would have done better."
@Kye_LUFC: "That was the worst penalties I've ever seen."
READ NEXT:
- Leeds United faced with call Jesse Marsch can't have expected during the summer transfer window
- Record breaking goals, Anfield delight and 'spygate' - Leeds United's previous breakout moments
- Leeds United players' around-town comments played into Liverpool preparations
- Jesse Marsch outlines Tyler Adams' Leeds United importance and gives Luis Sinisterra update
- Leeds United lean on key Marcelo Bielsa-era trait to give Jesse Marsch the commitment he praised
