The Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has stated that Leeds star Eunan O’Kane played with cracked ribs in his side’s 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend – and Whites fans are not happy.
Talking to RTE ahead of the ROI’s World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Wales, O’Neill said: “O’Kane has cracked ribs but he played with a pain-killing injection for Leeds at the weekend. We’ll see how he is.”
O’Kane has been a vital part of the Leeds team this season, playing in nine of their 11 Championship games.
He missed the midweek Cardiff game ahead of the Yorkshire derby with Sheffield Wednesday, but manager Thomas Christiansen didn’t disclose why.
Now it looks like the midfielder has been nursing a painful injury and played against Sheffield Wednesday thanks to a pain-killing injection.
He didn’t play well and O’Kane himself apologised after the match on Twitter for what he called “a really bad performance”.
A really bad performance today. I can only apologise for the extremely poor decision that gifted them the 3rd goal. #MOT
— Eunan O'Kane (@eunan10) October 1, 2017
Now, after O’Neill’s revelation, Leeds fans are wondering why he was risked with players like Mateusz Klich and Ronaldo Vieira in the squad.
One fan even labelled Christiansen as a “clueless coach” although no other fans have gone that far.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets from Leeds fans.
https://twitter.com/gert_jan7/status/915431063236874241
https://twitter.com/shillito_harry/status/915501190208790528
https://twitter.com/Jordon_Kellett/status/915513430307729408
I wouldn’t be happy if I were Vieira or Klich
— Miquel (@MichaelWall1) October 4, 2017
It's the clueless coach
— CM (@mou19645) October 3, 2017
Bravery aside……he shouldn't have played with an injury of that significance. TC shouldn't have picked him ether. #lufc #eunanokane
— Terry O' Brien (@tobtipp) October 3, 2017
Unbelievable if true!! Thought the point of a Squad was not to have to play injured players
— side before self????????????? (@Ktowngaz) October 3, 2017
Would have thought a fit Vieira or Klich would have been better than a less-than-fit O'Kane. Strange risks taken in professional sport.
— Stuart Grant (@McClumsy84) October 4, 2017
That's why Okane was dreadful then , worrying fact is why TC didn't trust Vierra
— stuart (@StuartWeinstoc1) October 4, 2017
No excuse, should not have played. Was horrendous.
— Kim R. Lund (@Lund1993) October 4, 2017
Big question about TC's management rationale to play an injured player who performed so badly. Awful decision and very costly.
— James P (@Jimmypeak62) October 4, 2017
Imagine trusting Wiedwald in goal but not trusting Vieira to deputise for EOK when he has cracked ribs. #LUFC
— Austin (@AustinLDN86) October 4, 2017