Warnock warns 'naive' Leeds to improve at back
NEIL Warnock has ordered his brittle Leeds side to toughen up as they plan to scupper Hull City's attempts to secure a first league double over their Yorkshire rivals for 25 years.
Leeds' promising run of form reached a limp conclusion on Boxing Day when they were comprehensively beaten 4-2 at play-off rivals Nottingham Forest, a result that leaves them ninth in the Championship and two points adrift of the top six.
With four goals leaked at the City Ground taking their total conceded to 40, only Championship strugglers Peterborough United, Ipswich Town and Bristol City have a worse defensive record than Leeds.
And Warnock admits tomorrow's hosts will relish the opportunity of facing his naive side, unless improvements are significant.
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"If you saw our defending against Forest then you'd be rubbing your hands if you're a Tigers fan," said Warnock. "But that's the Championship.
"We were naive and I think we have been a few times.
"It's like Michael Brown said after the Chelsea game in the League Cup, I know they're a top side but there were one or two amateurish things that went on in that game.
"It wasn't that their goals were all brilliant. We've conceded seven against Forest last season and now four, silly goals and a lot of goals.
"It's almost like when we make a mistake, we're so disappointed that one or two lads let their game go. But that's down to growing up and getting more experienced."
City will chase their first league double over Leeds since 1987-88 tomorrow after they recorded a memorable 3-2 victory at Elland Road in September.
Jon Parkin's strike in 1-0 win in April 2006 is the last time City claimed a home win over Leeds, but a six-game unbeaten run ensures the Tigers are the side buoyed by confidence ahead of tomorrow lunchtime's game.
Warnock is grappling with several selection headaches after the Boxing Day loss at Forest.
Influential midfielder Rodolph Austin, who appeared out of sorts when returning from a lengthy lay-off, will be assessed today, along with fit-again striker Davide Somma, who is pushing for inclusion after scoring his first goal in 22 months this week.
"Rudy ran out of legs which is only to be expected when he's been out so long," added Warnock. "The own goal summed him up. He didn't have enough energy to lift his leg.
"But the only way he'll get fit for the second half of the season is by giving him games and I'm hoping he can play again tomorrow and get two under his belt in a week. Hopefully, he'll be a little bit fitter tomorrow than he was in the second half at Forest."
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