OPINION
Simon Grayson will be regretting his brutal live commentary put-down of Pontus Jansson after his withdrawal from the Sweden squad on Sunday night due to a knee injury.
Former Leeds United boss Grayson suggested during the team’s dramatic derby defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday that the giant defender was a drama queen for overplaying the “little knock” he sustained late in the 1-0 defeat.
He insisted the Sweden international robbed his side of crucial momentum as they chased an equaliser and suggested his Leeds centre-back sidekick Liam Cooper and the visitors’ defenders Chris Basham and John Egan would not have made such a meal of it.
“If he (Jansson) rolls around any more, he will injure his other knee,” said former Leeds boss Grayson, who was on co-commentary duty for talkSPORT’s live coverage of the Elland Road clash.
“I don’t see Egan, or Basham, or Liam Cooper rolling around like that when they get a little knock.
“Leeds had momentum. Don’t let knocks stop that. You’ve got to be careful you don’t stay down too long as it can affect the momentum of the game.”
Jansson underwent extended treatment after the collision with Billy Sharp around the 78-minute mark, but was forced to stay on the pitch as Leeds had already used all three of their substitutes.
He was subsequent used as an emergency and fairly immobile centre-forward before donning the gloves and going in goal following the red card given to Kiko Casilla.
Leeds have not confirmed the severity of Jansson injury and Marcelo Bielsa said at the end of the game that he was still to be told of the extent of damage, but the player’s international withdrawal makes it clear he certainly wasn’t faking or overplaying it.
While the centre-back loves to be the centre of attention and clearly thrives on his terrace hero status, it was harsh and, in hindsight, a bit daft of Grayson to slam him on live commentary.
The former Preston North End and Sunderland boss is paid to say it as he sees it, and live commentary makes a fool of even the best pundits at time.
But Grayson is certainly left with egg on his face for suggesting Jansson needs to man up.