Leeds fans have been assessing what they need to do from here after they suffered their fourth defeat in six games in all competitions, and a lot of the fans have been looking at Marcelo Bielsa’s starting eleven. Whilst the fans want to see Kalvin Phillips back in midfield and Patrick Bamford drafted in, they really want to see Luke Ayling dropped.
Time to recall Kalvin Phillips? And should Patrick Bamford start at Middlesbrough? The dilemmas facing Marcelo Bielsa after Saturday’s defeat to Norwich:https://t.co/ImtQTvohIX
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 5, 2019
After losing 3-1 at home to title rivals Norwich City at Elland Road, a lot of the Whites have been calling for changes, and dropping Luke Ayling is one of those changes. The 27-year-old full-back has played in every game he’s been available for in the Championship, missing just one game through suspension and a further seven whilst he was out with a medial collateral ligament injury.
On Saturday he featured and played the full 90 minutes, however, his performance was poor and a lot of the fans singled him out for criticism afterwards. In truth, the defender hasn’t been great since he returned from injury just before Christmas and the fans are all desperate to see Bielsa bring in the young Jamie Shackleton to replace Ayling as he aims to get back to form.
You can read the Whites’ calls to drop Ayling here:
https://twitter.com/samuelgallaghe2/status/1092741091193958400
https://twitter.com/1970Garforth/status/1092681169798352897
https://twitter.com/ephemeraljoy/status/1092686204112392192
Phillips absolutely. Bamford is (behind Hernandez) the 2nd best player on our books, so again, absolutely. Clarke for Harrison is a no brainer.
I’d give Shackleton a go too, he’s earned it and Ayling is playing dreadfully at the moment.
— The_real_TommyBrolin (@BlueSmokeWillo) 5 February 2019
Yes to both. Ayling bench Shackleton on
— JiMmY SaNdWicHes (@jackth3b15cu1t) February 5, 2019
Shack for Ayling and Phillips for Forshaw are non brainers. Would like to see Douglas back in, Bamford on bench but come on after an hour to get the winner – again
— Richard (@Rich57H) February 5, 2019
The Whites are all keen to see Ayling given some time on the bench and will be hoping some time out of the side could help him rediscover his form.
