OPINION
As good as Leeds looked in 2018, they’ve looked poor in 2019. Results have reflected this drop off in form, and in no player is it more apparent than Luke Ayling. Leeds fans have been having a pop at him for a while now and it was no different tonight. Manager Marcelo Bielsa doesn’t like to change his starting line-up if he can help it and he’s actually extended an arm around Ayling recently, saying that while he doesn’t alwasy hit 8s and 9s/10, he’s a solid 7/10 player. Well he was around 4/10 tonight if you’re feeling generous and Bielsa might well have to give him a rest. There’s no doubting Ayling’s commitment to the cause but while the spirit is willing at the moment, the flesh is weak, and he was eventually hooked off in the 73rd minute. But to no avail. This is a game that Leeds were expected to win at a canter. But then we said that about the Bolton game last Saturday and they only just scraped through that. Tonight is a big dent in their promotion hopes.
Here are the best reactions to Ayling’s performance against QPR:
Ayling needs to stop playing. Honestly, string of bad performances every single game and still is on that pitch every single week. just stop!
— Ben (@BenSharpLUFC) February 26, 2019
Ayling has been dreadful again tonight -_-
— Adz?????? (@AdamLUFCHenshaw) February 26, 2019
Absolutely shocking, Ayling actually embarrassing
— Sprintz (@rossrankin16) February 26, 2019
How poor does Ayling and Roberts have to be to be taken off??
— Mark Gannon (@MarkGannon71) February 26, 2019
QPR giving a master class in time wasting and the ref letting it happen.
Also how is Ayling playing again, constantly gives the ball away!— SB (@sim3715) February 26, 2019
Ayling can’t even run with the ball anymore. Shocking ????
— Harry_Paulley (@Harry_Paulley) February 26, 2019
When is Ayling going to stop being picked… awful, absolutely awful #QPRLU
— Mr Worm… (@Andyworm11) February 26, 2019
Ayling has gone
— smithy (@smithdog180986) February 26, 2019
Ayling all over the place again. Real weak link. Hate to say it, but it’s time for shacks in that position. Too many poor games from bill
— Arron Sekhri (@arrons17) February 26, 2019
Hmm if anyone was going to turn up to Loftus Road and make it a huge task it was Leeds. Very average.
Roberts, I don't get the fuss. Ayling has totally lost it and Alioski in my opinion will forever steal a wage don't care how much he runs about. #lufc
— MAYES (@twatterleeds) February 26, 2019