Not just Bijol: Leeds dud had his worst game of the season & must be dropped

Leeds United made the trip to the City Ground on Sunday with only one away win to their name this Premier League season.

However, by the final whistle, it was Nottingham Forest who celebrated their first home victory since August, as Sean Dyche’s side cruised to a 3-1 triumph.

The hosts peppered Lucas Perri’s goal with 14 efforts, exposing Leeds’ ongoing struggles away from Elland Road.

Journalist Graham Smyth summed up the afternoon bluntly, describing Leeds’ performance as “desperately poor,” as Daniel Farke’s men now find themselves dangerously close to the relegation zone.

One of the main culprits in the defeat was Jaka Bijol. The Slovenian centre-back endured another forgettable outing at the heart of Leeds’ fragile defence.

Although he managed to win four of his six duels, Bijol’s lapse in concentration proved costly.

His moment of ball-watching allowed Morgan Gibbs-White to sneak in unmarked and restore Forest’s lead with a well-placed header after good work from Omari Hutchinson on the flank.

That mistake was emblematic of Bijol’s recent form. Having already struggled in the defeat at Brighton—where he failed to win a single tackle and managed just one duel victory—his shaky performances could now prompt Farke to hand Pascal Struijk a starting spot in his place.

Bijol wasn’t the only player to disappoint. Ethan Ampadu, usually so reliable in midfield, produced arguably his worst performance of the season.

Acting as Leeds’ supposed anchor, the Welshman looked off the pace and uncharacteristically careless in possession. His pass completion dropped to 76%, well below his season average of 86%.

Ampadu’s defensive work also left much to be desired. He won just one tackle all game and failed to contain the lively Dan Ndoye in the build-up to Forest’s first goal, while later being caught flat-footed when Gibbs-White sealed the win.

For a player known for his energy and commitment—averaging over four duels won per match—this was a clear low point.

Despite his struggles, Ampadu faced the media post-match, calling for unity as Leeds face a growing relegation threat.

But with his form dipping and competition from Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev intensifying, even one of Farke’s “indispensable” promotion heroes could now find his place under real scrutiny.