OPINION
Right-back Luke Ayling has been suffering from a big dip in form over the past few weeks and it’s not gone unnoticed by Leeds fans.
Some have even called for him to be dropped in favour of Jamie Shackleton but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears in Marcelo Bielsa.
In fact, the manager went out of his way to show his support for Ayling in his pre-match press conference yesterday, ahead of the game against Swansea at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
He said that Ayling was a “complete player” and that he always scored a six in terms of match performances.
Leeds might well need more than a six from Ayling tonight.
The spotlight is on this game more than usual, as the two clubs meet for the first time since the farcical transfer breakdown over Daniel James.
The left-winger is available to play for Swansea tonight and it will be Ayling’s job to keep him out of the game.
James will have an extra incentive to prove that the failed move – through no fault of his own – hasn’t had a detrimental impact on his game.
Leeds desperately need to the three points after dropping off the top of the table following four defeats in seven games and keeping James quiet will go a long way to making that happen.
But Ayling needs to play the game of his life, to prove that Bielsa was right to show him his support and to ensure that James doesn’t come back to haunt Leeds at Elland Road tonight.
If he doesn’t, the clamour and criticism from the fans will be deafening.