Some Leeds United fans have expressed their unhappiness at the performance of 20-year-old defender Pascal Struijk in their recent 3-3 draw against Cardiff City in the Championship (BBC).
The gap between the Peacocks and table-toppers West Bromwich Albion came back to two points, as the Baggies picked up a 3-2 win over Birmingham City this past weekend. Marcelo Bielsa’s men failed to beat 10-men Cardiff in a thrilling game.
This was Leeds’ first draw in the Championship in eight games, as their last draw came back in late October in a goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
Leeds United: Is Struijk good enough for Leeds?
Not good enough
He needs patience
Some Leeds fans are fuming about the performance of Pascal Struijk, who was involved in the tie at Elland Road at the weekend.
Taking Bamford off at 3-1 should be safe. Strujik was the dodgy sub for me. Anyway, we’d have taken this at Christmas. #lufc
— Ryan (@thenoseycrow) December 15, 2019
I think our desperate position in the league is entirely down to White’s abysmal defending! As it happens, he wasn’t at his best today but Berardi wasn’t great and Strujik reminded us that we have a thin squad. Kiko who has been brilliant shoulders the blame for letting them in
— Neil. Franklin (@_franklin220) December 14, 2019
Ridiculous assist. Diabolical positioning from Strujik tho
— Danny (@lufcDB) December 14, 2019
Strujik, he was all over the place. Beradi stays in and we see that match out.
— SBilton (@Bilton_6) December 14, 2019
Sorry but Strujik looked out of his depth from the second he came on, getting in peoples way, always caught a yard out. At fault for their equaliser, Bad display from the young lad.
— Jake (@BielsaBoi) December 14, 2019
It wasn’t his fault, e.g Casilla/Strujik with individual errors for goals. Its about control of the game, when Bamford goes off, it’s something we do lose a bit when Eddie comes on in matches. Different styles of players, Bamford at the moment is more suited to the team.
— Tom Holynski (@ThommHol) December 15, 2019
The 20-year-old defender is usually a Leeds’ Under-23s player. He has not been a regular for the club this season but came on from the bench against Cardiff to play the last six minutes of the game for Gaetano Berardi.
He had joined the club from Ajax in the winter of 2018, after which he has grown up the pecking order at the club.
His first appearance for the club came earlier this season in their 2-0 win over Hull City at home. He had played a single minute, playing at centre-back for Bielsa’s men.
In his last season for Ajax, he had played nine times for the Under-19s side. He had one assist to his name, also playing as a centre-forward in some games.
What do we think?
Struijk is still very young and needs some time to play regularly. While he was at fault for the goal against Cardiff, it is natural for the player to make mistakes early on in his young career. Leeds fans need to cut him slack and keep patience.