Leeds United fans will be the happiest of all the Championship clubs this Christmas. Marcelo Bielsa and his blue bucket have been reveloutionary at Elland Road, and yesterday’s win was nothing short of amazing, especially considering first-choice left-back, Barry Douglas, pulled out of the starting eleven with illness during the warm-up.
Barry Douglas out of the starting line-up. Withdrawn during the warm up. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) December 23, 2018
Since Dean Smith made the move to switch Brentford for Aston Villa, the Villains have looked like one of the best sides in the Championship, so yesterday was always going to be a humdinger of a tie. Smith’s Villa took a 2-0 lead into half-time before falling to a 3-2 defeat against the Yorkshire side, meaning that despite the Whites’ fears before kick-off, they’re going into Christmas top of the league.
You can understand exactly why the fans were panicked yesterday though. Douglas is by far the best left-back in the Championship and he’s the man they wanted to be standing up against Yannick Bolasie, so when illness saw him miss out and Leif Davis came in, the already nervous Leeds fans were tipped over the edge. In the end, it was a truly memorable victory and one that’s made even sweeter by the sheer volume of homegrown players they had involved.
You can read the Whites’ Twitter meltdown at the Douglas news here:
https://twitter.com/Wokisan/status/1076832371947827201
We are cursed. This is unreal. IF we manage to get promoted this season with these injuries and these young players then it’s nothing short of a miracle
— Gary Marshall (@Garymarshall_85) December 23, 2018
Jesus Christ. Will be a serious three points if we can get a win today. #lufc
— Liam Tunney ✍️ (@ismiseliam) December 23, 2018
We’ve lost
— Christopher Smith (@uksmithyy) December 23, 2018
of course he is……
— MarkMitch84 (@gandalflufc) December 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/miffy0811_a/status/1076833618461380608
Falling apart, team made of glass
— Bijol Endall (@acupofcoldsick) December 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/ThommHol/status/1076832504554971136
https://twitter.com/tonypdickinson/status/1076832319569301504
https://twitter.com/roamyourway/status/1076832307783352321
The Whites were fuming to have lost Douglas to illness, and will just hope that the Scottish defender is back for their clash with Blackburn on Boxing Day.
