Crysencio Summerville pregame behaviour blamed for Leeds United collapse at QPR on Sky Sports
Charlie Austin blamed Crysencio Summerville for the miserable Leeds United collapse at QPR, claiming it was “like he wasn’t out there” at Loftus Road.
The ex-Rs man reacted live on the Sky Sports match coverage (26 April) after the 4-0 loss, claiming the fact that the Dutchman was wrapped up in a snood ahead of kick-off “set the tone” for a meek display from his teammates.
Leicester City’s promotion has been confirmed and Ipswich now hold a huge advantage for the final automatic spot, with Daniel Farke’s men likely destined for the play offs after a disastrous night in West London.
Austin said: “You need the big players to step up… Summerville needed to step up tonight. He was the Championship Player of the Year. Tonight it was like he wasn’t out there.
“I think he set the tone when I’d seen him in the warm up with his snood, covering himself [up], I thought he set the tone for me tonight, and that went onto the pitch.”
Charlie Austin blames Leeds United star for Loftus Road implosion
Everybody in a Whites shirt, with the potential exception of Junior Firpo who delivered some more excellent crosses from the left, underperformed during a dreadful showing at such a crucial stage of the season.
The Leeds United attack, blistering for long periods this season, went AWOL as a Summerville volley from Willy Gnonto’s first-half cross, saved by Asmir Begovic, and Georginio Rutter’s wayward close-range attempt after the break was about as good as it got.
Joel Piroe had a bad game in place of the injured Patrick Bamford, and left Don Goodman lost for words live on the match commentary, but then so did everyone else.
There is plenty of criticism to go around after a display like that against a side fighting relegation when this Leeds United outfit had to win to stay in the race for an instant return to the Premier League, from Farke on down.
Summerville can absolutely be blamed for failing to deliver a performance worthy of the Championship award he has won this term, but the snood complaint is nonsense.
The 22-year-old has been outstanding for the most part this season, scoring 19 and assisting nine in the league, while warming up in exactly the same way so his pre-match warm-up attire is hardly the basis for a dismal team showing.
Whatever was behind it must be addressed though, and while it will surely come too late to rescue hopes of a top two finish it is going to be vital to avoid more play-off heartbreak and a nightmare end to what has largely been an outstanding campaign.
In other Leeds United news, Mike Dean slammed an “awful” Whites star live on Sky Sports for what he did recently.
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