Pascal Struijk played role in Jesse Marsch downfall at Leeds United – Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson suggests continually playing Pascal Struijk at left-back was part of Jesse Marsch’s downfall at Leeds United after he was sacked this week.
Leeds axed Marsch on Monday (6 February) after a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend left them 17th in the Premier League table and level on points with 18th-placed Everton in the relegation zone.
Struijk, 23, had been an ever-present for Leeds this season, playing 19 times in the Premier League.
Although he’s naturally a centre-back, the Belgium-born defender has played almost exclusively at left-back this term for Marsch due to the other options in that area of the squad either being injured or extremely poor.
But Struijk’s form has dipped massively lately too with the ex-Ajax player being at fault for Brennan Johnson’s winner for Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Struijk stupidly conceded the free-kick that led to the goal and when he had the chance to clear the cross into the box, he only managed to head it as far as Johnson.
Robinson believes Struijk being used out of position didn’t help Marsch at all at Leeds.
“Jesse Marsch continued to play Struijk even though he’s been poor lately,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“He’s not a left-back and has been continually played there and been rewarded a new contract – but I don’t think he’s been good enough at times.
“I thought Max Wober was coming in as a left-back so Struijk didn’t have to play there all season.
“It’s not his fault he’s been asked to play there all season but he can play in a number of roles and lately, his performances haven’t been at a standard you’d expect.
“But you look at the other options they’ve got and the other option is Junior Firpo.”
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