Leeds United continued their terrible run of form with a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in the Championship on Friday night, and fans have taken to Twitter to rage about Paul Heckingbottom’s decision to withdraw Gjanni Alioski for Jay-Roy Grot on 66 minutes.
The only goal of the game came after 29 minutes when Villa favourite Jack Grealish dinked a cross into the middle for Lewis Grabban to rise and head past the outstanding Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Leeds slowly managed to get a foothold in the game but struggled to create any real chances of note, and their attacking incision was affected when Heckingbottom withdrew the lively Alioski for summer flop Grot.
Villa’s win guarantees them a spot in the Championship play-offs come the end of the season in a few weeks time, and they are looking good for a home second leg tie in the semi-finals.
That is exactly the position that Leeds had hoped to be in after a fast start under former boss Thomas Christiansen, but an alarming dip in form and the failure of Heckingbottom to turn things around since his appointment in February has left them languishing in mid-table.
Fans took to Twitter during and after the game to slam the manager for his decision to withdraw Alioski for Grot, with many calling him clueless and some calling for him to be sacked.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
Hope you watched them Anne as early on we played well -until the subbing of Alioski then we went backwards.
— Julie Trimble (@trimble1959) April 14, 2018
Had Villa frazzled until Alioski got taken off, what was the reason?
— ?Thursday 17th October 2019? (@WACCOE) April 14, 2018
Grot on for Alioski. Wish someone could explain that decision to me.
— ? (@a_non_e_mouse) April 14, 2018
I mean, when that plan is to bring Grot on for Alioski, you have to wonder what is going on in his mind. No wonder Alioski was chuntering as he walked off.
— Stephen Clark (@clarkyboy72) April 14, 2018
No matter your thoughts on Alioski, coach who thinks Grot is a better choice out wide doesn't deserve a chance next season. We actually had the momentum at that stage, but the introduction of Grot put an end to that.
— MaltaWhite (@carl_bulger) April 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/LufcJacob/status/984957190191697922
Just got back from Villa. I'm not one to slate the manager but what was he thinking taking Alioski off and brining Grot on!? Completely killed our momentum when we were having our best spell of the match.
— Ben (@benjaminbrannan) April 13, 2018
Alioski off :Grot on :WHY? @LUFC dominating the second half until then when we lost all momentum. A baffling substitution from PH. #lufc #mot
— Steve Eastwood ??? (@speleeds1) April 13, 2018
Anyone else think taking alioski off was a poor decision ? offered little going forward after we did , often doesn’t do a lot but holds his wide position well works hard and is a threat on the counter #lufc
— Neil colley ????CTID (@Coldog83) April 13, 2018
@LeedsFanz Heckinbottom's decision to take Alioski off and put Grot in midfield when we were hugely on top v Villa is the single worst substitution in Leeds history, Its *so* stupid he must have done it on purpose, just like that red badge he's brought. Heckinbottom OUT
— John Franklin (@thewordsthe) April 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheFurryWeeble/status/984901498789335040
Our second half "comeback" ended the moment Alioski came off for Grot #lufc
— Rev. A Mol (@RevAMol) April 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/leodis74/status/984897952647958528
Why oh why when we are on top, really running at villa, looking like a goal is coming, clever fast forward play does PH choose that time to take off Alioski, who was doing really well, and bring in Grot, on the WING, killing our momentum, then finish us of by taking roofe off!?!?
— Eddy Nuttall (@edward_nuttall) April 13, 2018
the Grot/Alioski substitution was baffling and cost us any chance of getting something from the game. Only one person to blame for that #heckout #lufc
— Freddie Freeloader ? (@5uperLeeds) April 13, 2018