Fans of Leeds have been reacting to comments made by Bristol City manager Lee Johnson, in which he reflects on his playful push of Leeds defender Luke Ayling following the match between the two sides last Saturday.
The victory for Leeds saw them move three points clear of third-placed Fulham after the West London club lost at home to Barnsley.
However, there was controversy during the first half of the fixture when, during a break in play, Lee Johnson gathered his players around him on the touchline to give them instructions. Johnson believed Leeds’ Luke Ayling, who was stood in close proximity to the Bristol City boss and his players, to be eavesdropping on their team-talk, so Johnson approached the player before pushing him away.
When asked about the confrontation, Johnson said: “Part of me wanted to – with my player’s head on – tread on his toes, two-foot him, give him a cuddle and pinch him under the arms at the same time. But part of me also respected his sneaky nature, listening to what I had to say.”
The majority of Leeds fans responded to the Bristol manager’s comments light-heartedly, with many joking that the 1.68m-tall Johnson would be lucky to reach the 1.85m-tall Ayling’s arms to pinch, while others claimed that Johnson is “obsessed” with their club.
"Part of me wanted to – with my player's head on – tread on his toes, two foot him, give him a cuddle and pinch him under the arms at the same time." #lufc https://t.co/gm3DPYdhuy
— Leeds United News (@LeedsUnitedYEP) February 19, 2020
How was he planning to pinch him under the arm? Stand on Bielsa’s bucket? ????
— Jo Bedford ? (@El_Loco_Jo) February 19, 2020
Very big of him to admit it
— Vivek Mahesh (@Leedsviv) February 19, 2020
‘Two foot’ or 2ft? @TheSquareBall
— Tom Hinchcliffe (@Tom_Hinchcliffe) February 19, 2020
So, he went on to the pitch and attacked a Leeds player. Imagine if the Leeds manager did that. £200,000 for standing on a public footpath !!!!!!
— geebo (@geebo87880019) February 19, 2020
Doesn’t he ever stop. Obsession with our club. Sick and tired of him.
— Herbie Jassi (@herbie1178) February 19, 2020
Angry little man
— Ashleigh (@ashlaurenn_) February 19, 2020
What do we think?
Regardless of the altercation, Ayling performed brilliantly on Saturday, as the right-back made three tackles and one clearance, as well as scoring the only goal of the game. Perhaps we’ll never know whether that had anything to do with Ayling’s supposed attempts to foil the Robins’ tactical plans.