OPINION
Leeds fans have flocked onto Twitter to rail against their right-back Luke Ayling after a poor display against Bolton.
It’s getting towards the business end of the season now and while each game is a cup final, some are more important than others. With some tough games coming up, Leeds fans will have looked at Bolton – one off the bottom of the table – and marked this down as a must-win, especially after rivals Norwich beat them 4-0 last week.
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa said himself he didn’t expect it to be an easy match and that’s exactly how it turned out on a balmy afternoon at Elland Road. Leeds were lucky to take the lead after Bolton had a brilliant chance to score after four minutes. But they couldn’t hold onto their lead and went in at half-time with the score at 1-1.
Leeds got their luck in the second-half after a cross from Ezgjan Alioski was completely misjudged by Remi Matthews and it went in off the underside of the bar. The 2-1 win delighted the Leeds fans but it didn’t save Ayling from some severe criticism.
He’s been off form for a few months now and while Bielsa gave him his vote of confidence this week, it didn’t lift the 27-year-old. His touch was off and he looked completely devoid of confidence, although he improved in the second-half. The one standout thing he did was pull Tyler Roberts off Patrick Bamford when the youngster was trying to take the ball off the striker for the first-half penalty.
Leeds need everyone firing on top form for the rest of the season and we’re not convinced that Ayling can turn it around. Bielsa doesn’t have a lot of options but surely it’s time to give Jamie Shackleton a run out? He came on towards the end with Ayling hobbling.
Here are the best reactions to Luke Ayling’s display:
Every Leeds game I hope for Ayling to get going again, but he just isn't. Still so clumsy on the ball. #LUFC
— Jibber Jabber (@EthanFromOnline) February 23, 2019
A reminder Norwich won 4-0 AT Bolton last Saturday. We MUST take three points today. Ayling still looks tired to me. I’m sure Shackleton would give us the pace and guile going forward that Ayling just isn’t providing. Alioski again doing the business down the left. #LUFC
— ??????? ????? (@cockney_white) February 23, 2019
Ayling looks so uncomfortable on the ball these days. He's got no first touch at all. Hasn't looked right since injury. #lufc
— The Scratching Shed (@TSSLUFC) February 23, 2019
The thing is, you can see his mind and body are not working in harmony. He'll very casually go to trap a ball, invariably fluff it and it takes his mind a few seconds to realise his body hasn't done what it used to. Then he'll start scrambling to recover. #lufc
— The Scratching Shed (@TSSLUFC) February 23, 2019
Touch like a trampoline
— Leedslad (@Leedslad15) February 23, 2019
Ayling has struggled but he did get smashed in the head. I thought Harrison had a decent first half. Frustrated at Alioski’s delivery though.
Bamford and Roberts doing bits, looking dangerous and hungry #lufc
— ?ll?? (@lufcgilly) February 23, 2019
Ayling is poor. Harrison is crap. Alioski cant put a ball in to save his life. #lufc
— Asif.eth | PSG.eth (@iamasifr) February 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/JoshAHobbs/status/1099332668746072069
Looks like Ayling is not going to play his way out of this form. Needs a break for a week or so. #lufc
— MaltaWhite (@carl_bulger) February 23, 2019
Gotta put Jamie Shackleton on for Luke ‘ailing’ Ayling in the second half
Luke just not been himself since his injury. Needs a breather to recover and get his “game head” back on
Gonna need everyone 1000% on their game from here on in
??MOT??— viv charleston (@yoda_180) February 23, 2019
Ayling shoud never play.
— Joseph Spiteri (@leedsjoespiteri) February 23, 2019
Ayling has been like that since injury he shouldn’t be playing
— Carl_lufc (@Carl_Uk_) February 23, 2019
Think Harrison has been excellent. Ayling too slow and clumsy.
— leedsyorks68 (@leedsyorks68) February 23, 2019
Ayling weak link again
— Albert (@Albertlufc) February 23, 2019