Warnock: We should have beaten West Ham

LEEDS United boss Neil Warnock bemoaned his side’s lack of fortune after they conceded a 90th minute goal to draw 1-1 with promotion-chasing West Ham at Elland Road on Saturday.

Warnock believed Leeds were good value for a win they looked like getting when Luciano Becchio headed them in front in the 83rd minute.

But they were denied in what the manager thought was an injustice as the Hammers were allowed to get away with a foul in the build-up to their equaliser by referee Peter Walton, who had earlier disallowed a Robert Snodgrass effort for Leeds for a similar push by Becchio.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Warnock said: “I’m disappointed. I know about me and referees but I said to the referee: ‘When you watch Carlton Cole blatantly push Darren O’Dea over, you’ve got to see that’. O’Dea was going to head the ball.

“If he could see Becchio in the first half to give a foul when he’s got four bodies between him then he’s got to see that. I’m not saying it isn’t a foul, but there’s no difference with the push by Cole. But that’s life, you’ve just got to move on.

“He said he was concentrating on the line, but he’s got to see that, there’s nobody in front of him and he’s headed the ball from where the foul ‘s occurred.

“I think it’s the only mistake he’s made. He had a great game and the linesmen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

West Ham wouldn’t have conceded a goal like that. They would have grabbed each other by the shirt and made sure they didn’t.”

Warnock was disappointed with the defending on the West Ham goal, but otherwise was happy with his side’s performance against one of the top sides in the division.

He added: “I asked for 30,000 and it was a fabulous atmosphere. West Ham played their part, bringing that many, but I don’t think they had a chance other than the set piece. Even with the corner he sliced it to get a corner out of nothing.

“It is frustrating because we’re running out of games. “I can’t remember ever being this disappointed. I probably have, but I can’t remember.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We should have won four wins out of five since I’ve been here. We battered Southampton and should have beaten West Ham. We’ve dominated two of the best sides in the league and got one point.

“You’ve got to win games like that and you’ve got to beat Southampton when you have 90 per cent of the play.

“It’s a lesson for young Tom Lees, who was marking Collins. It’s the last minute, he’s a young centre-half and he’s been brilliant, but if he’d not have got a free header if it had been at the other end. There’s no way Wes Ham would have conceded a goal from a corner kick with their defenders with their experience.

“He’s got to learn Tom. I can’t see the referee giving penalties in the last minute for stopping your man running, but he’s just lost him completely. It will be hurting him, but hopefully he’ll learn from that and he’s got to because he’s a cracking young player. Other than that I thought he was super.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I had to make changes and could have brought Robert Snodgrass off (as well as Aidan White and Ross McCormack) because they were shattered. They have done ever so well for me, but they were running on empty. I wasn’t quite confident enough to put Nunez on as well, defensive-wise, but the two lads that went on made a positive contribution.”