Leeds United fans have taken to Twitter to express their frustration and anger that Kemar Roofe asked to be substituted towards the end of their 4-3 Championship defeat to Millwall because he was tired.
Manager Thomas Christiansen revealed that Roofe had asked to be replaced at the 74-minute mark because he was exhausted and Pierre-Michel Lasogga was also a spent force.
The attacking midfielder had scored the second of United’s goals as they came from 2-0 down to take a thrilling 3-2 lead despite being down to 10 men, but Millwall levelled at 3-3 through Tom Elliott’s 87th-minute strike before Jed Wallace forced a win with a deflected finish in the second minute of injury-time.
“(Lasogga) was finished and couldn’t walk,” Christiansen said, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post. “You see the effort that he did. My intention was also to leave Roofey (on the pitch) but he came to me and said ‘are you going to make a change?’
“I can appreciate a player who is exhausted because he cannot do any more. “That means he has given everything. I want them to give everything and when thy cannot give more, they ask for a change and another player comes in.”
Christiansen’s revelation about Roofe has not gone down well with Leeds fans, who are perplexed as to how he could not last the full 90 minutes after a seven-day break leading into clash against Millwall.
The 25-year-old has been a mainstay of the team this season, starting 21 of his 28 appearances, which have yielded an impressive 11 goals.
But a section of Leeds fans on social media are fuming with the player, with some even claiming he should never play for the club again.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
If Roofe has asked to come off because he was tired at such a pivotal time in the game, he should be embarrassed. Time to go.
— Frank Castle (@ryaninnes74) January 20, 2018
I honestly think he panicked yesterday. We should have carried on attacking. Roofe saying he was
” tired” didn’t help the situation— Mark Harrison???????? (@sparkylufc1970) January 21, 2018
Season over in January yet again. If roofe can be subbed off tired, can I get a refund on my season ticket for the rest of the season?
— Liam (@liamjo72) January 21, 2018
Totally agree. Except spineless Roofe said he wanted to come off. Injury/tired, whatever, take one for the team and play thru it. Should never play for Leeds again.
— Paul G (@GravPa) January 20, 2018
Roofe had to stay on and go to CF for me. Lasogga laid on the floor and we STILL made the substitution. Brainless. Tired? State of mind. Not playing now for ten days. Team needed him. Alioski looked more ‘tired!’ Shaughnessy comes on to ‘shore it up’ & runs through treacle!! ????????
— HungryDuck (@avantiproperty) January 20, 2018
Roofe asked to be subbed off according to TC after game, said he was tired (answers on a postcard). TC hadn’t planned on taking him off, which would have left him upfront. Not sure TC could have done owt with subs as a result, Lassoga was running on empty.
— Scott (@zcknntr) January 20, 2018
Roofe – pro footballer asked to come off cos he was tired ????… we need players with more fight and brains.
— ST (@Yorkshire77) January 20, 2018