Gary Neville calls out Luke Ayling, shares ‘fear’ for Leeds United in relegation battle
Gary Neville has admitted that he fears for Leeds United ‘enormously’ in their relegation battle and called out Luke Ayling after his red card against Arsenal.
The Whites fell into the relegation zone after a 2-1 defeat to the Gunners, where Ayling was sent off for a needless two-footed tackle after they found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 10 minutes.
Ayling will now miss the rest of the season through suspension and with him missing as well as the injured Stuart Dallas, Neville told his podcast that they are the favourites to be relegated at this moment in time.
“Could it help Leeds, well it must help Leeds, that Chelsea are in a cup final a few days later,” he said.
“It must help Leeds that Chelsea have dipped off their levels. But, depends what Tuchel.. Tuchel doesn’t strike me as the type of manager who’s going to throw a game away.
“I really do fear for Leeds. I fear for them enormously. At this moment in time I would say they’re favourites to go down. They are obviously.
“Everything that could go wrong.. Dallas, Ayling, players that are spirited. They’re the spirit and energy of the club, not there. They’re massive players.
“What Ayling has done today will cost them. He’s done.”
Nightmare
What came over Ayling when he went flying into the corner flag with both feet we’ll never know, but it has certainly cost Leeds heading into the final three games of the season.
Level on points but with a considerably worse goal difference, Jesse Marsch’s side now need a favour and to ensure they can do their own job when they face off against Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford.
They’ll have to do it without their first choice full-backs, their first-choice striker far from 100 percent fit and the rest of the squad winless in their last three games.
Neville isn’t the only one who fears for the club, who have now become favourites to go down as the third horse in what was a two-horse race just a few weeks ago between Everton and Burnley.
Ayling has cost his teammates and potentially the whole club with one reckless decision, and while he previous performances and love for the club will never be forgotten, this one is on him ultimately.
In other Leeds news, ‘It’s happening’ – Gary Neville shares Leeds relegation verdict, expecting ‘slugfest’