Football

Steve Evans planning Leeds overhaul after horror Elland Road run continues

Leeds head coach Steve Evans said he may have to bring in up to six new players after seeing his side's winless home run stretch to almost eight months with a 2-0 defeat to Blackburn.

Blackburn winger Craig Conway caught Leeds cold after just 17 seconds when stealing in at the far post to fire home and Jordan Rhodes' low angled drive made it two with barely six minutes on the clock.


Leeds improved as the game went on but although dominating possession in the second half created few clear chances and Evans feels his current squad could struggle unless he can bring in reinforcements.


"We won't get sucked in (to a relegation fight), I've come here to sort it out," said Evans, whose first home game in charge ended in defeat the day before his 53rd birthday.


"Let's be honest, if the actual playing squad was left, it would be a battle to stay in the division, but we're going to address some of that.


"We're working hard to do that, but I keep saying we only want to bring in players who will make a difference.


"It helps if you know they can play in an environment and take the pressure of coming to play at Elland Road, because there is pressure, there's pressure for all of us."


Evans was annoyed some of his players did not stick to the gameplan and said he would be working to bring in players before next Tuesday's home game against Cardiff.


"We're going to try. All you can do is try isn't it? We're going to have to bring some players in," he added.


"We're capable of getting a result or two with the squad we have, but so many people have to give us more."


Evans criticised his senior players and said he would have to bring in "five or six" in order to turn it round, but stressed the club could still have a good season.


"I don't mean five or six before Tuesday and I don't think five or six before the (January transfer) window," he added.


"It will be a massive window to what we do, but before then there's lots and lots of points at stake, so maybe two or three before now and the window."


Blackburn clinched their first away win of the season - their last was at Elland Road in April - and boss Gary Bowyer was delighted with his side's stunning start.


"We spoke about the importance of starting well," Bowyer said.


"There were lots of things said in the build-up before the game about what it was going to be like here, so it was important we came out the traps very fast.


"That was probably faster than what we expected but we'll take it.


"It's never easy. This club (Leeds) has got a lot of tradition and they've got passionate fans here at Leeds, who really care about their football club.


"But the manner of our performance was outstanding and I'm delighted for them because they're an honest bunch.


"They haven't got the rewards that some of their play has deserved this season, but here they did."