Troy Deeney has questioned the mindset of Leeds United players following their Championship final defeat against Southampton.
The Whites lost 1-0 at Wembley on Sunday, missing out on a return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Saints took the lead in the first half through striker Adam Armstrong and despite controlling 63% possession and attempting 10 shots in the second half, Leeds did not respond. In fact, Daniel Farke's men managed one shot on target after the break, producing just 0.55 Expected Goals.
Deeney believes that the defeat was due to the Leeds players not being willing to respond in the second half when they were looking for an equaliser.
“There was a moment in the game today when one of their players, who should have been in the box, was the second player from far back,” Deeney told Sky Sports (via Daily Mail).
“In the 97th minute, when you try to win. Now that means to me that you don't want the pressure of 'this opportunity can fall on me'.
“Responsibility. Because, if you miss, then people will ask you. But if you don't do anything people in the game, like us, we ask you. And I'm just wondering where some of them have been.
“It seems that, for three or four of these players, this game is theirs. And it was like, 'Maybe I won't be here next year so let me show how good I am'.
Leeds fall with a disastrous end to the season
Leeds have spent the entire season involved in a fierce battle for the two automatic promotion places alongside Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton.
It was the former duo who found direct entry into the Premier League, but only after Leeds had spent eight weeks in the top flight at different points in the season. The Whites even briefly went top following a 2-0 win over Millwall in March.
But since that victory – including Sunday's defeat at Wembley – Leeds have managed just three more wins in their remaining 11 games, losing hope at the worst possible time. Now, they must make another push for promotion next season.
“It was a difficult day for us and a day of suffering but that's football,” said a defiant Farke after the final (via Sky Sports). “You have to get on with it, rest and use the disappointment as motivation for next season.”
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