OPINION
It’s a fine line between passion and liability. Gaetano Berardi has always worn his heart on his sleeve but he cost his side dearly when he was sent off in the play-off semi-final second leg against Derby at Elland Road.
With the tie finely balanced with less then 15 minutes to go, Berardi picked up a second yellow for a needless challenge on the halfway line.
Five or so minutes later, Derby scored the goal that condemned Leeds to another season in the Championship.
Berardi has previous, as pointed out by a Twitter account called LUFCDATA. They posted a stat that showed Berardi has become the joint-most red-carded player in the club’s history after his seventh sending off.
https://twitter.com/LUFCDATA/status/1130732732177440769
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay responded saying that Berardi showed “a lack of judgement at a critical moment when Leeds needed everyone to be disciplined. His red card tally is a problem.”
it’s not really about the season as a whole – it’s about a lack of judgement at a critical moment when Leeds needed everyone to be disciplined. His red card tally is a problem.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) May 21, 2019
BBC journalist Adam Pope replied saying “Agree with you Phil. Wrong choices at critical times.”
Agree with you Phil. Wrong choices at critical times.
— Adam Pope (@apopey) May 21, 2019
It’s hard to argue with this. Berardi didn’t need to make the challenge and he lost his head at precisely the wrong time for Leeds. You need players you can trust at critical times in games and Berardi fell short. His red card tally shows that this isn’t a one-off but a recurring problem that won’t go away.
Many Leeds fans responded and the majority feel the same way, with a few saying he should be moved on in the summer and that he’s become a “liability”. One summed it up well when he said, “People can’t keep defending a player who gets red carded regularly for violent incidents”.
Here are the best reactions to Berardi:
Have I singled him out? I’m merely pointing out the guy has repeatedly let himself, his team mates and the fans down too much. his decision making has been costly numerous times ( not just this season) therefore I feel he’s a liability.
— Lenny Mason (@Lenaldo9) May 21, 2019
I am very loathe to criticise Bielsa but with Berardi on a yellow after 69 minutes and Pontus on the bench WTF didn’t he sub him off and prevent the inevitable 2nd yellow?
— David Gibson ???? (@Normanbitesyer) May 22, 2019
This my point! Not even going into this season, previous seasons speak volumes but he just can’t help himself. Shame Bcos without his recklessness he’s quality
— Lenny Mason (@Lenaldo9) May 21, 2019
Anyone who suggests Berardi’s red card behaviour isn’t an issue, is as much of a psycho as he is. Lashing out at crucial times is completely amateur – don’t defend it!
— Rachel Sydney (@rachelhall_94) May 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/timfairley/status/1130930277050667018
People can’t keep defending a player who gets red carded regularly for violent incidents
— crighters (@crighters1) May 22, 2019
Liability, always has been get rid, sick of players that can’t be trusted!
— Eamonn McGee (@etmcg78) May 21, 2019
Cost us the 2nd leg…had them at bay till then…
— Alan Bernstein (@AlanBernstein2) May 21, 2019
Mans a liability! Proven ?
— Lenny Mason (@Lenaldo9) May 21, 2019