Leeds United fans blasted defender Luke Ayling in the first half of the action against Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
Ayling, 29, made his 20th Premier League appearance of the season in the East Midlands at right-back.
However, he was dragged all over the place by Harvey Barnes in the opening stages when the Foxes attacker linked up a one-two with James Maddison to score past Illan Meslier.
It was a good bit of control by Barnes but it was made so easy for the ex-West Brom loanee with Ayling not getting close enough to stop his run or stop his shot at goal.
And a section of Leeds fans have made it very clear they were unhappy with Ayling’s role in Barnes’ goal, with one saying that his defending was “absolutely criminal“.
Here is a selection of their tweets:
Ayling is a disgrace
— tom (@tom28542744) January 31, 2021
Pathetic defending from Ayling. Very uncharacteristic. #lufc
— Nathan (@hank_lufc) January 31, 2021
Sorry but Ayling is to blame for that…proper crap defending #LUFC
— LAM (@Louismcm111) January 31, 2021
Rubbish from Ayling
— Alex (@alex3lufc) January 31, 2021
Ayling rubbish again
— Swinffo (@Swinffo) January 31, 2021
Poor defending Ayling
— Jackkkk (@JackRuckledge77) January 31, 2021
Nice of Ayling to watch him score
— Stuart (@SearchThisCity) January 31, 2021
Cut open by a run straight through the middle for the millionth time. Nonetheless, absolutely criminal defending from ayling there
— Andrew Davies (@AD36421360) January 31, 2021
Ayling did make up for that error fairly quickly.
He played a crucial role in Stuart Dallas’ equaliser so it kind of makes up for his poor defending at the other end of the pitch.
But Ayling really should have done a lot better in that instance.
Barnes is in very good form and when he’s allowed to run at defences, he’s very had to stop.
Ayling seemed to just let Barnes carry on running and carry on surging towards the goal even with the one-two breaking up his play slightly.
If it happens again, it might be best to give a foul away as long as it’s not too close to the penalty area.
In other Leeds United news, there’s been a major update on Bielsa’s future at Elland Road.
