A section of Leeds United fans have taken to Twitter to deliver mixed verdicts after it was confirmed that Luke Ayling has been handed a one-match ban for their next Championship clash against Blackburn Rovers.
The right-back was sent off in United’s 1-1 weekend draw against Brentford after picking up a second yellow late on and will serve a short suspension on 20 October.
Some Leeds supporters are disappointed at the absence of such a key player while others claim it might even be a “blessing in disguise”.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below.
COMMENTARY:
Leeds fans are relatively sanguine at the absence of Ayling for the short trip to Ewood Park at the end of next week. The 27-year-old has played every minute of the club’s 12 league matches this season and been a key player in a side that has genuine automatic promotion hopes. Ayling was particularly impressive, like many of his teammates during the first six matches of the campaign when the changes implemented by Marcelo Bielsa had a dramatic effect on Leeds results and style of play. Ayling’s attacking play has been pretty mediocre in the last few matches, as a number of fans point out, although he has remained a reliable defender. His absence is likely to pave the way for Gaetano Berardi to return at right-back if he has recovered from the injury that has kept him out since the last international break. The Swiss does not offer the same attacking potential as Ayling, but spent most of his career at right-back before being converted to centre-back at the start of the campaign.
https://twitter.com/davecally9/status/1049253926321750016
https://twitter.com/Simongreen19/status/1049417372682063872
Berardi should be back so I'd play him at RB in preference to Dallas. LB if Douglas still missing, for me would be a choice between Alioski and Pearce.
— Bully (@BullMick) October 8, 2018
Ayling not been at the races for me last few games. Shackelton, Dallas or Berardi more than capable of filling in.
— k9myp (@k9myp) October 8, 2018
I think Ayling might struggle to get his place back. Been quite inconsistent with his distribution. Berardi isn’t as good going forward but a petter passer for me
— Matthew Marshall (@Marshall4860) October 8, 2018
Ayling has had a poor start to the season imo. Maybe Berardi would prove the better option over the next few games given he had quite a good start to the season
— Aran (@AranLeeds) October 8, 2018
Come on lads ayling only had 2 bad games from what I've seen that's not all that bad
— Razz??? (@russcausier) October 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/AJMilly/status/1049279697220263937