A number of Leeds United fans have been left fuming on Twitter after seeing the starting XI that manager Marcelo Bielsa had chosen to take on Southend in another friendly clash.
The Whites confirmed their line up on their official Twitter account, revealing that there was one change from the side which took on Forest Green Rovers in their last senior pre-season outing, with Laurens De Bock taking the place of Pablo Hernandez.
? | #LUFC Starting XI to face Southend:-
Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Berardi, Forshaw, Cooper (c), Alioski, De Bock, Dallas, Saiz, Phillips, Roofe pic.twitter.com/zuS5KgG0T9
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 22, 2018
However, a large majority of the fans were unhappy with what they saw and turned to social media to voice their frustrations, with a handful suggesting the side was not good enough to survive in the Championship next season.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ messages on Twitter:
The team that’s going to relegate us to league 1.
— John Paul Redmond (@john_lufc1919) July 22, 2018
That has League 1 written all over it
— Aran (@AranLeeds) July 22, 2018
Bloody hell that's bleak, we can only hope there are players coming in and soon, any updates Phil?
— David Haines (@SkyDaveLeeds) July 22, 2018
Wow shocking team, I fear for this season at this moment in time
— simmo???? (@simmos25) July 22, 2018
This team/ squad in general is very worrying. Don’t think we’ll be relegated but think we will be down there tbh. Shame
— moaning on together (@DCoEMoT) July 22, 2018
Same old same old Absolutely bailed on for relegation it’s a joke
— CM (@mou19645) July 22, 2018
We need players like you wouldn’t believe. Relegation squad written all over it, Bielsa isn’t a miracle worker.
— Oliver Medd (@OliverMedd7) July 22, 2018
Opinion
Leeds fans have every right to be unhappy with the team that Bielsa has put together, for all those named in the starting XI were left struggling in the Championship last season. There have been just two new arrivals through the door at Elland Road since the start of summer and neither is featuring in the line up. Whatever the issues are behind the scenes, Bielsa and the top brass better sort it out sooner rather than later, for it could shape up to be an embarrassing season after what looked like high hopes for success. If this is the team that lines up against Stoke City on the first day of the season, it is going to be a bloodbath.