OPINION
There was widespread delight among the Leeds United faithful when Luke Ayling was fast-tracked back into the starting XI as he made a pre-Christmas return from a serious knee injury ahead of schedule. But the Leeds fans are starting to lose patience with the right-back following the latest in a series of mediocre performances from him at the weekend. Ayling played the full 90 minutes of the 3-1 home defeat against Norwich City, but struggled to contain the visitors’ attack as the Championship promotion race took another twist on a troubling evening for the Whites. Many United supporters now wants the 27-year-old axed from the starting XI, even though Gaetanto Berardis is not yet fit to return, for Saturday’s showdown against Middlesbrough. That would be a big call from Marcelo Bielsa, who has made Ayling one of the untouchables this season. It is a status that he no longer deserves, and Leeds would benefit from the zest and energy of rising star Jamie Shackleton. That’s what many fans think, too.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
https://twitter.com/lufceva1/status/1092049728978763783
https://twitter.com/hobsterlobster/status/1092051030840393728
My Boro XI. Ayling has looked out of form for weeks and Shack was playing well when he was in the team. Definitely need Phillips back at CDM. Forshaw had a great game vs Derby but poor since. Harrison doesn’t offer enough. Roofe needs a rest & Bamford’s height will help us. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/xjNw6QJmPB
— Oliver White (@OliWhiteMOT93) February 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/BatesyLufc/status/1092090047824883712
https://twitter.com/FazzLuke24/status/1092090235041824769
Pablo Klich have been poor. Harrison of he plays has to be down the right. Ayling has been god awful
— Bryn Johnson (@BrynLufc) February 3, 2019
Ayling needs to be dropped next game, Forshaw too for Philips.
— Harry Fryer (@harryfryer90) February 3, 2019
Douglas is a shadow of the player wolves had last year. Phillips too good to be on bench Ayling needs dropping Shackleton gives us pace at right back start PB up front Izzy on bench
— Martin Cooney (@Cooney9Martin) February 3, 2019
Ayling is poor all round lunges in to much Douglas has been poor for along while when we play Alioski at LB we get a better full back but we miss his pressing in final Third. and Forshaw lost count of how many goals we have conceded Cos of him tbh Philips at DM diff Gravy
— top cat Cooper (@kennybrown1964) February 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/gdwilliams95/status/1092140683278856194
Problem is – Philips is fit (MB prefers Foreshaw) and Ayling is honking currently ?????????? I’m sure we are a top 6 team – top 2 is a different matter ??
— Tommaso Yorkshire T ?? (@tommy23h) February 3, 2019
I still cannot get over Ayling, what has happened to him?! He just looks so nervous in possession he used to drive at players #lufc
— Sam (@Snadd23) February 3, 2019