Exclusive: ‘Big blow’ – Paul Robinson reacts to early Leeds team news as outfield player missing
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Jean-Kevin Augustin has been ruled out of the game against Hull City at lunchtime today and Paul Robinson has said it’s a “big blow for him and the club”.
Augustin has picked up a hamstring pull, which was confirmed by Marcelo Bielsa, although he didn’t say how long it would keep him out for.
It means that Patrick Bamford is almost guaranteed to start up front for Leeds at the KCOM today in the 12.30pm kick-off.
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News Robinson said, “When a player comes in lacking match fitness he’s susceptible to injuries. I suspect that’s exactly what it is.
“Augustin has come in after only starting two games this season, he hasn’t actually completed a game, and he’s been put into an intense training program because of the way Bielsa likes to play. It’s going to take its toll, and it obviously has done.
“He wasn’t match fit, he was trying to get fit. It’s a big blow for him and for the club and it’s not the signing they had in mind to hit the ground running.”
Asked if he thought Augustin would start a game for Leeds this season Robinson replied, “I don’t know”.
“His talent is undoubted,” Robinson added. “His temperament is in question but his fitness is way off what Bielsa would have wanted. Even if a player was playing week-in, week-out he’d find it hard to come in and do what Bielsa wanted.”
It could have been a very different story had Leeds landed their first-choice striker in January, Che Adams.
Football Insider reported that a £19m deal had been agreed before Southampton did a u-turn after manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said he wanted to keep the player.
On Adams, Robinson said, “He’s a readymade striker, he’s fit and he was available to play.”
If Adams had joined we imagine Patrick Bamford would be on the bench today.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shares why Casilla hearing was delayed and what likely outcome is after latest holdup