It was a disappointing start to life with Leeds United for Paul Heckingbottom, who watched his new side suffer a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday lunchtime.
Billy Sharp struck twice either side of Pierre-Michel Lasogga’s header to secure all three points for the Blades, who dented Leeds’ play-off hopes even further.
Leeds now sit 11th in the Sky Bet Championship table, eight points adrift of the top-six heading into the final 15 fixtures of the campaign.
Despite failing to pick up Leeds’ first three points of the calendar year at Bramall Lane, there will have still been plenty for Heckingbottom to be encouraged by, with Leeds dominating for large spells and looking more than deserving of a point.
Here at FLW, we look back on Saturday’s clash at Bramall Lane and focus on three things Heckingbottom will have learnt about his side following their most recent defeat…
Discipline within Leeds’ squad has been put under the microscope in recent weeks, and although there were no further red cards on Saturday, the signs of Leeds’ naivety was still there.
Kemar Roofe picked up a needless booking in the first-half, and Eunan O’Kane’s foul for the penalty in the second-half was extremely poor.
If Leeds are to get anywhere, Heckingbottom needs to sort this out.
Hernandez replaced Roofe shortly before half-time and his impact in the second-half was exceptional, with the Spanish playmaker at the heart of everything Leeds did well.
Heckingbottom’s decision to leave Hernandez on the bench in the first place was bizarre, but the midfielder’s impact surely means he has to start against Bristol City on Sunday.
Lasogga buried a header after a brilliant piece of skill from Hernandez in the second-half, with Saturday’s goal the striker’s eighth of the season.
It has been a tough transition to English football for Lasogga, but he is beginning to look like a striker capable of delivering.
Leeds still need more from the German, but if he is given chances, he will take them, as he proved on Saturday.