‘Cowardly’ – Noel Whelan savages Leeds star for not showing commitment v Forest
Noel Whelan has said that Leeds United are “cowardly” at times and singled out Helder Costa for criticism and not showing “commitment” to the side.
Whelan was talking on BBC Radio Leeds (Saturday, 7pm) after the latest defeat for Leeds – a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The result has left Leeds hanging onto their top two spot by a thread. Fulham are on the same points but in third on goal difference. Forest are one point back and Brentford are two back.
Leeds travel to Griffin Park to play Brentford on Tuesday where a defeat will see them drop out of the top two for the first time this season.
Whelan took no prisoners and spelled out exactly what he thought of the Leeds players at the moment.
“We’re cowardly at times,” Whelan said.
“Take the [Helder] Costa header. You need to rise and put your face in there.
“Yes, you might get a knock in the face or a busted nose or a tooth knocked out but you’re going to get something for your team.
“That’s the cause and commitment I’m talking about.”
Patrick Bamford has been coming in for the most criticism in recent weeks but Helder Costa has been a huge disappointment.
His delivery was woeful on Saturday with just one accurate cross from eight out on the right.
In the last five games he’s put in 29 crosses and only five have been accurate. [WyScout]
But it was Costa’s poor attempt to score from a header in the 81st minute that made Whelan angry on Saturday.
He wasn’t committed enough late on after a cross from Stuart Dallas gave him a good chance to get a header on goal.
Costa didn’t go in full-blooded for the header and made it too easy for Yuri Ribeiro to win the duel.
This is when Leeds needs heroes.
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