Many Leeds United supporters have taken to social media following the club’s defeat at the hands of West Ham in order to discuss Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to overlook Pablo Hernandez and bring on Tyler Roberts instead during the game.
The first major talking point of the game came inside the first few minutes when the Whites were awarded a penalty after Patrick Bamford rounded Lukasz Fabianski and was brought down by the Poland international.
Mateusz Klich stepped up to take the spot-kick but saw his weak effort saved, however, fortunately for the Yorkshire-based club, the goalkeeper was adjudged to have stepped off his line, and after a VAR check, the Leeds midfielder was ordered to take it again and scored at the second time of asking.
Despite Leeds’ dominance in terms of possession, the visitors managed more attempts at goal and found their equaliser through Tomas Soucek before Angelo Ogbonna headed home a late winner. Bielsa attempted to influence the game in a positive way by making all three substitutions available to him on the night but one decision, in particular, left these fans scratching their heads.
How did these Leeds fans react to Tyler Roberts being introduced ahead of Pablo Hernandez?
Pablo could be 98yrs old and give more in 2 mins than Roberts could right now. And for Bamford too… its a joke that
— Josh Holden (@JoshuaHolden93) December 11, 2020
It’s nothing to do with taking chances, it’s creating them. Pablo overlooked again. Game over.
— Stuart (@kUrGaN_UK) December 11, 2020
Pablo should be on!!
— All Things Leeds, Leeds, Leeds! (@MOTLUFCALAW) December 11, 2020
Oh dear…Roberts wasn’t the right sub there
— Peter (@LeedsUnited43) December 11, 2020
Was Marcelo Bielsa wrong to turn to Tyler Roberts before Pablo Hernandez?
Yes
No
What a joke.
— ?MOTSINCE1919? (@motsince1919_) December 11, 2020
This is an absolute joke
— SHS (@flyhsuk) December 11, 2020
It’s clear from the above responses that many of these supporters took issue with the decision to bring Roberts on ahead of the Spaniard. However, it’s worth noting the 35-year-old hadn’t been in the squad since the defeat against Leicester City back in early November (as per Transfermarkt), a game in which he reacted angrily to being substituted – so perhaps in the boss’ eyes, he was lacking in match sharpness.