They can offer what excuses they like, and it is true they have a crippling injury problem accentuated by the early loss of Seth Johnson.
Yet, the fact is that even with a broken wing, they should have soared above this workmanlike Leicester team. No doubt there were some chuckles across the Pennines in Manchester at the result.
O'Leary has proved beyond argument that he is a manager for the future but he will acknowledge more than anyone that the measure of his ability will be trophies rather than soundbites.
You expect to win your home matches, yet Leeds have now drawn against Bolton, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Leicester, which they should regard as eight points lost.
For Dave Bassett, this was a second encouraging result in three games to lift them above Derby County, and it suggests he can perform the kind of turnaround that has made him something of a Flying Doctor.
His investment in Brian Deane, a modest £250,000 - or six weeks' pay for Ferdinand - may well prove to be the catalyst for a resurgence at Filbert Street because the side lacks nothing in fight and desire.
As for O'Leary, there was consolation in the developing under-standing between Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Robbie Fowler.
The flicks and feints from Viduka were a reminder of his form last season and the muscular Aussie terrorised the City defence in an opening 15 minutes of whirling Leeds action. He was denied a first-minute goal only by a stunning, instinctive save from Ian Walker after a fine through ball from Johnson, whose loss with a dead leg after 13 minutes robbed Leeds of a key player.
Yet, Leeds took a deserved lead with a superbly-worked goal, Ian Harte crossing from the left with Viduka back-heeling the ball into the path of Kewell, whose finish was unerring.
Viduka netted an even more spectacular goal after combining with Fowler, only for an offside decision to be given. The video re-run suggested Leeds were hard done by.
Leicester did have their moments in the first 45 minutes, Nigel Martyn making an acrobatic low save to a Deane header, while Fowler was desperate to open his account for Leeds.
He might have done so twice in this period of dominance, needing too long to tee up his shot on the first chance and driving the wrong side of an upright with his second.
But when Viduka volleyed home a Gary Kelly cross in the second half the points looked safe.
The Leeds players clearly felt the same because they eased off noticeably.
Then Callum Davidson's centre from the left ran across both Leeds central defenders and Deane could hardly believe his luck as he prodded the ball home at the far post.
And Ferdinand looked too casual in trying to deal with Muzzy Izzet's through ball, leaving Scowcroft to snap up his chance with a flourish.
Perhaps the time has come for actions, rather than words from Leeds United.
