Journalist Graham Smyth has slammed Leeds United defender Luke Ayling for his performance during the club’s most recent game.
Jesse Marsch’s men travelled away from home on New Year’s Eve in their latest Premier League fixture.
On paper, the third-placed Newcastle United were tricky opponents and Leeds had to work hard throughout the game and ride their luck a little, but they managed to come away with a point in a 0-0 draw.
Despite the win, it seems not everyone was quite at their best for the away team and Smyth singled out Ayling for his efforts, handing him a 4/10 in the player ratings for the Yorkshire Evening Post.
He also wrote: “Had a difficult time of it, in and out of possession in the first half. Joelinton gave him a serious problem.”
TIF Thoughts on Luke Ayling and Leeds…
As per Sofascore, won zero aerial duels, 3/7 ground duels, lost the ball 10 times, completed just 55% of his passing and failed with his only attempted dribble.
On that evidence, it was a particularly great performance by Ayling and it seems he failed the eye test too in light of Smyth’s damning comments. This will be a blow for the 31-year-old as he was handed a rare start ahead of Rasmus Kristensen before being subbed off for the Dane in the 70th minute.
However, he did still help his side keep a clean sheet and pick up a valuable point on the road. And so, it will be interesting to see if Marsch keeps the right-back in his team next time out or if he drops him after this ‘difficult’ day at the office.
Was Luke Ayling poor in this match?
Yes
No
