There was an air of expectancy when the team news was released today but the excitement was sucked out of the Leeds fans when they saw new striker signing Jean-Kevin Augustin wasn’t even on the bench.
Marcelo Bielsa had said it would take him time to adapt and no one walks into his Leeds side but we were still expecting him to feature.
As it was it was an unchanged line-up to face Wigan, the team that put the first nail in Leeds’ promotion coffin last season.
It meant Luke Ayling on the right of a back four and he was the weakest link in a Leeds first 45 that saw us dominate and fail to score again.
Twice Ayling tried to usher a ball out for a goal kick and ended up conceding corners – and Leeds have really struggled to deal with set-pieces this season.
One fan said that he wanted to see Stuart Dallas there as soon as Kalvin Phillips is back – this is the second game of his three-match suspension.
Leeds were unlucky not to take the lead early on with Jack Harrison smashing his shot against the post after twinkling his way through the Wigan defence.
The rest of the half was a case of same old, as Leeds dominated with around 70% possession, created lots of chances and went in to talk to Bielsa goalless, with Harrison missing an absolute sitter after 35 minutes.
If the game carries on 0-0 for much longer the fans are going to start getting nervous.
Meantime, here are the best reactions to Luke Ayling’s poor first half:
Ayling is having a mare
— Albert (@Albertlufc) February 1, 2020
If Ayling had a brain cell he'd by PL class unfortunately he seems very lacking in that department! Great lad but not the sharpest tool in the proverbial she'd.#LUFC
— Leeds Fan in Chicago (@ChicagoWhite) February 1, 2020
If you haven’t worked out how to see a ball out yet, play it. Luke Ayling seems determined to give AC Wigan as many chances to score as possible #lufc
— Garry (@garabe) February 1, 2020
Luke Ayling had a poor start, twice failing to usher balls out for dead ball and out muscled. LA put a poor cross in when #LUFC were pressing which allowed Wigan to hit Leeds on the break. Wigan sitting very deep at the moment shame JH shot hit the post and bounced out.
— MCC1 (@1amcc) February 1, 2020
Ayling don’t take any risks over corners you plank. #lufc
— Josh Hobbs (@JoshAHobbs) February 1, 2020
Luke Ayling is going from bad to worse. Wigan are very well organised with two defensive banks. Its important #LUFC score first to ensure Wigan come out of their defensive set up.
— MCC1 (@1amcc) February 1, 2020
Ayling having a mare atm #lufc
— Brad (@SIytman) February 1, 2020
Wow ayling is poor. Dallas at RB the minute Kalvin returns please. #lufc
— Kim B (@KimLeeds) February 1, 2020
Is Ayling hungover?
— 𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙣 💛💙 #96 (@Shepelev81) February 1, 2020
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay: This is the issue Leeds have with Adam Forshaw
