Leeds 0-0 Brentford: Jesse Marsch’s side left frustrated after failing to break down battling Bees

Jesse Marsch said this week that he now has an “arsenal of weapons.” Well, blanks were fired here at Brentford.

With Rodrigo and Willy Gnonto in top form, Patrick Bamford and Luis Sinisterra back from injury and Georginio Rutter signing for a club record fee, Leeds boss Marsch has been purring at the array of attacking talent he has. at your service.

However, neither of their strikers appeared to break into the Bees’ back line at Elland Road on Sunday, leaving the Whites without a Premier League win since 5 November. That’s a damaging six-game winless run in the top flight and means Jesse Marsch’s men remain just one. point above the relegation zone.

Jack Harrison reacts during his Leeds side’s frustrating goalless draw at home to Brentford

Leeds’ Tyler Adams clashes furiously with Brentford’s Mathias Jensen in front of white fans

Rodrigo Moreno attempts a shot from the edge of the box as the home side press forward

The closest they came to breaking the tie against Brentford was thanks to the in-form Italian Gnonto, who forced a fine save from David Raya in the second half. Meanwhile, Rutter, the £35.5m new kid, sat shivering under a blanket on the bench for 90 minutes, perhaps wondering what he had gotten himself into after his move from Hoffenheim.

The silver lining for Marsch is that his defense looked unusually solid, with the signing of Max Wober in January impressing in a new center-half pairing with Robin Koch.

But the concern is that he can’t seem to get his forwards and back line to shoot at the same time, and his side is still in real danger.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney pleads with referee Peter Bankes after being booked

Jack Harrison tries to get away from the Brentford defenders during the Premier League match

Brentford’s Rico Henry leaps over a challenge from Leeds’ Max Wober during the first half

For Brentford, this draw ended a run of three consecutive Premier League games, but they remain unbeaten in the division since October 23.

Thomas Frank’s side were far from their best here at Elland Road, failing to even manage a shot on goal. However, they can afford one or two faded displays given their comfortable eighth position in the table.

This clash promised excitement given the last two meetings between the two teams. On the last day of last season, Jack Harrison scored in the last minute to seal a 2-1 win that kept Leeds on top. Then, last September, Ivan Toney scored a hat-trick in Brentford’s eventual 5-2 win, which saw visiting manager Marsch sent off.

Here at Elland Road, Toney provided another reminder of his danger straight from kick-off, with a left-footed volley that sailed just over Illan Meslier’s bar.

But that initial excitement was no sign of what was to come in a grim first half, in which both teams barely threatened.

Brentford largely stuck with efforts from range, with Mathias Jensen seeing a shot from outside the box go wide, then Toney tired to catch Meslier from near the left touchline but it went wide.

As the Bees got behind they went the wrong way as Rico Henry found himself in space but tried to cut towards Toney instead of shooting and Leeds defender Robin Koch was first to the ball.

Local attackers were also forced to feed on leftovers. Rodrigo pulled a save from David Raya with a 20-yard shot, but even that went wide.

Luke Ayling attempts a Chilean under pressure during the scoreless match

Leeds’ Marc Roca and Brentford’s Jensen battle for the ball at midfield at Elland Road

Willy Gnonto has provided the magic for Leeds in their last two games. He was his standout player when they lost at Aston Villa last week, then he scored twice, including a scissor-kick volley, in the midweek FA Cup win over Cardiff.

Such is the excitement for the in-form Italian that fans rose to their feet every time he began to run the ball in the final third. However, Brentford handled Gnonto much better than his recent opponents, shutting him down quickly before he could build up speed.

Leeds started the second half with more determination and Brenden Aaronson fired a shot at Raya from the edge of the box. Then it was Rodrigo’s turn to test the Bees keeper, who dived to his left to avoid the Spaniard’s 20-yard shot.

The hosts were starting to turn up the pressure and Rodrigo released Gnonto with a perfect pass, but Raya saw the danger and beat the speedy teenager.

Struggling Leeds have now not won the Premier League since early November.

Jesse Marsch shakes hands with his players as his winless streak extends to six games

Soon after, the same combination connected again for Leeds, with Raya making a good save at his near post to deny Gnonto from close range.

And then Jack Harrison was the last to try his luck, although his shot was much more comfortable for Raya.

Marsch waited until the 69th minute before introducing one of his forwards from the bench: Sinisterra, the first to get the nod. Forward Bamford, fresh off his midweek double against Cardiff, came on with 11 minutes remaining.

But the substitutes were unable to alter the result as the Elland Road faithful were once again frustrated.