The fact that Leeds face another Yorkshire derby just three days after their 5-2 humiliation at Barnsley can be seen in two ways.

Tomorrow’s trip to Doncaster gives scant time for Simon Grayson and his staff to work on the shortcomings but, like falling off your bike, the quicker you get back in the saddle, the more likely you are to forget the effects of your crash.

So abject was Tuesday’s display that Grayson may not give some of the players, like out-of-sorts defender Federico Bessone, a chance to remount for some time.

Stunned by being the first manager to watch a Leeds team concede five goals in the league since stand-in boss John Carver watched his hopes of taking over permanently from Kevin Blackwell disappear at Luton in October 2006, Grayson did not mince his words.

He said: “Too right there are places up for grabs on Friday night. There were players sitting on the bench, players who travelled to the game and players sitting at home who could have been playing.

“Bessone got a bit of a knock but he would have come off anyway. No-one who started the game did himself any justice whatsoever. Whatever decisions I make on Friday, nobody will have any arguments about the team I put out at Doncaster.

“The way we went to pieces in the second half was hugely disappointing. We lost our shape, hunger and desire. We had won three games on the trot but this was a reminder that you can’t take any game lightly.

“I would like to think they didn’t treat this one lightly because we certainly didn’t as a staff. We made sure they were focused on what they needed to do but they just didn’t do the right things.”

Grayson reserved a special word for the large group of travelling United fans, adding: “How our fans could cheer our players off at the end of the game amazes me.

“We had just under 7,000 supporters at the game and they were still singing and cheering afterwards. The players let the club down and all those fans who travelled to the game.”

One of the few players who may have improved his standing was Davide Somma, whose goal from the substitutes bench was his fourth in as many appearances. He has yet to start a game but that could change on Friday.

“Davide Somma came off the bench, had a couple of half-chances and scored and that is all you can ask of a player who comes on,” said Grayson.

“Obviously the damage was done at the other end of the pitch in terms of mistakes made. We have training sessions on keeping the ball but we gave it away too often. It was dreadful.

“I expect the players to bounce straight back in the next match. They are hugely disappointed and rightly so.

“Every time we have had a setback – and I don’t want any more like this one – we have responded in the right manner. That is what I am looking for now.”