A group of Leeds United supporters have been discussing the news that three of Lee Bowyer’s Charlton Athletic players are refusing to play in the club’s remaining fixtures. Bowyer told TalkSPORT one of those unwilling to participate is their star man Lyle Taylor.
The Addicks currently sit 22nd in the Championship and are two points behind Hull City, who are just outside of the relegation zone. Taylor is the club’s top goalscorer this season having registered 11 times in 22 league appearances so far this season and therefore his absence will no doubt impact Charlton’s chances of survival.
Bowyer joined the Whites as a player from Charlton Athletic back in July 1996 and represented the club until January 2003 (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk) so do the Elland Road faithful have some sympathy for their former midfielder?
Sack them and get someone who will i have worked all through this and am getting sick of hearing people who don’t want to go to work and we don’t get tested at all
— Andy Gott (@gottlegend) June 1, 2020
Everyone who is a non essential worker can make that decision, but for the vast majority of us this would result in the loss of our job. What’s the consequences for a footballer?
— ???TI? ????? (@mirts88) June 1, 2020
Put them on furlough and have them go in and clean boots, disinfect the training ground etc. Prima donnas
— Phil Greaves (@LeedsPG) June 1, 2020
Would you like to see Bowyer manage Leeds someday?
Yes
No
It’s clear from the above responses these fans believe those refusing to play are in the wrong. It was announced on Sunday that the Championship is set to resume on 20 June providing that all safety requirements are met (as per BBC Sport). Bowyer confirmed in Taylor’s case, the player is “so worried about getting injured” and that “he’s going to get a life-changing move elsewhere”. However, despite having heard the 30-year-old’s reasoning, the Leeds fans continued to criticise his stance.
Then they cant expect to be paid their £1000s a week then. Simple as that.
— Ben Milner (@Ben_Paridian) June 1, 2020
I’ve said this before, but in what other form of employment does the [fit] employee decide whether they want to go to work or not?
— Mike Parker (@rekrap1963) June 1, 2020
Pathetic
— John Hession (@kingybbb) June 1, 2020
It is worth noting that Lyle Taylor isn’t the only Charlton player who has made it clear he does not intend on playing for the club in their remaining fixtures. Chris Solly and David Davis, who is on loan from Birmingham City, have also made their feelings known. Solly has made 14 appearances in the Championship this season and Davis has appeared five times since joining the club in January.
So whilst all three absences will be felt, in our view, Taylor is the player the Addicks will miss the most and therefore we feel it is impossible not to feel some sympathy for the position Bowyer now finds himself in, though some Leeds fans are less sympathetic towards their former player.