‘Second rate’, ‘Should never play for Leeds again’ – These fans react to one player v Derby
Marcelo Bielsa made seven changes to his Leeds United side today. Ian Poveda and Pascal Struijk got their first starts and fans were delighted with that.
However, there were plenty of fans who weren’t at all pleased to see Kiko Casilla in the starting line-up.
He’s just returned after an eight-game ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Charlton’s Jonathan Leko.
He was on the bench for the 1-0 win against Barnsley but was given the gloves today with Illan Meslier not even making the bench.
It’s a big statement by Leeds and a hint that he will be involved next season.
Casilla took the knee, along with all the other Leeds players, ahead of the game and we have to admit that it made us feel a bit uncomfortable.
Atheltic journalist Phil Hay said the same thing: “I’m very uncomfortable with the lack of contrition shown by Casilla and the club. I know he denies the offence but the written verdict was pretty damning and this still needs to be properly addressed.”
Leeds supported Casilla through the trial and are now backing him again. Bielsa said he’d talk to the Leeds players before making a decision on Casilla so it looks like the players are backing him too.
Leeds’ final game of the season is against Charlton on Wednesday and we really can’t see him starting there.
And plenty of Leeds fans didn’t think he should have started today. At the very least it was a distraction from the incredible 48 hours that’s seen Leeds go up as champions.
This is what some Leeds fans made of Bielsa’s decision today…
That was the overriding sentiment from Leeds fans but not all. Some supported the decision to play Casilla but they were definitely in the minority on Twitter…
https://twitter.com/Josh_Shambles/status/1284826886942728192
https://twitter.com/19MrPositive19/status/1284828484813168640
In other Leeds United news, ‘I have no doubt’ – Angus Kinnear reacts to anti-Leeds Sky Sports incident, hints at revenge