Leeds United won their final pre-season friendly against Las Palmas, with a late goal from Kemar Roofe, but fans were disappointed after a poor display from attacker Samu Saiz.
Saiz was a standout performer for Leeds last season when he first arrived in a £3.15m move from SD Huesca.
However, like many other first-team stars, his form tailed off from Christmas onwards, although there was real hope that new manager Marcelo Bielsa would be able to get him to reach his heights again.
That’s not looking like such a sure bet anymore, and Saiz put in a listless display at Elland Road on Sunday.
It led to one fan saying he looked “lazy and uninterested” and that he possible doesn’t want to stay at Leeds.
He would be a big loss and conversely could be a massive part in Leeds’ push for the play-offs under Bielsa. Fans will be hoping that this display was just a one-off as the start of the Championship approaches next weekend.
Here are the best reactions to the display from Saiz on Sunday:
https://twitter.com/RoneylufcPaul/status/1023791455754706944
I think every Leeds United squad member needs to watch "Do you want to win?" on a compulsory basis. Mr Saiz, just do that. #LUFC
— Chris Hardy (@LowfieldsLad77) July 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/DubBeGoodToMe/status/1023669308642222080
Today I saw a Bielsa #LUFC side firsthand. The bottom line is: I'm impressed.
There are clear issues: Vieira looked out of sorts in the central role that Klich excelled in; Saiz was anonymous; Pablo misplaced more passes in the second half than the second half of last season…
— (?°?°)?? ??? (@sasQwax) July 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/Scoobydiwopwop/status/1023655438049533954
https://twitter.com/louielee2129/status/1023641195539509249
First half very dull. Klich good second half. Good to see Ayling back. Baker and Roberts look quick. Saiz as frustrating as ever. Roofe worked hard. Bielsa sat in the dugout pretty much the whole game. #lufc
— Chris Neal (@cgsneal) July 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/LewisDeighton17/status/1023619002021687296
Klich looks awesome but wtf has happened to Saiz? #lufc
— Jamie martin (@JamieJsm82) July 29, 2018
Saiz not been the same since that suspension , Alioski works hard but needs to show more , Klich and Phillips looked composed #lufc
— Laura (@lauralufcmot) July 29, 2018
OPINION
One fan hit the nail on the head when he said that Saiz hasn’t been the same since his six-game suspension for spitting in the FA Cup game against Newport. That was a long time ago now though and Leeds fans will be desperate for the attacker to regain his form. There’s no doubt that when he’s on form he’s the most electrifying talent that Leeds have got in their side. If Bielsa can’t inspire him back to form then it might be that he doesn’t want to be at Leeds, but with the first game of the Championship next week, it also seems highly unlikely that he’ll leave now.