A selection of Leeds United fans were left raving over the performance of Luke Ayling after they saw him score in the pre season friendly with Southend United on Sunday afternoon.
The Whites headed down to Root Hall to continue their pre-season preparations under new manager Marcelo Bielsa, but found themselves 1-0 down after 20 minutes, Harry Lennon heading home unmarked from a corner.
However, right back Ayling, who netted in the friendly clash with Forest Green Rovers earlier this month, managed to find the back of the net again to level the scores, having worked the ball into the box with midfield counterpart Adam Forshaw.
34' GGGGOOOAAAALLLL!!! Luke Ayling plays a neat one-two with Adam Forshaw, before finding the bottom corner with a curling effort from the edge of the box! 1-1
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 22, 2018
The Leeds faithful were delighted to see the 26-year-old among the goals, turning to social media to celebrate his goal scoring exploits.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ reactions:
https://twitter.com/MattJLufc/status/1021026059775602689
Forshaw and ayling been quality,roofe is just terrible has he even turned up
— Razz??? (@russcausier) July 22, 2018
Good job he knows where the goal is cos front players don’t,
— Ian Johnson (@IanJohn91612585) July 22, 2018
Ayling’s on fire, your defence is terrified
— FionaCK ?? (@FionaCK) July 22, 2018
Ayling is definitely our best player. One of the reasons the season changed for the worst last term.
— Stu (@RealStuu) July 22, 2018
Play him as a wing back or winger hes looking good pre-season if we could get another quality centre back in think 3-5-2 would suit our players we have got
— Clarke one nil (@one_clarke) July 22, 2018
Bagging 20 this season
— BC (@BC_LUFC) July 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/Robbydeux/status/1021025945199824896
Opinion
Leeds fans are already quite fond of Ayling after his consistent displays during the last couple of seasons and it looks like he is going to keep his status as one of the best in the squad after his pre-season performances. There will be some concerns over why he is the top scorer so far but at the same time, Bielsa has conducted another major overhaul of the attacking options and he is still trying to figure out what to do ahead of the new season. At least someone is stepping up to the plate – even if he is a right back.