Hay: Tuchel pitch criticism a ‘cheap shot’
Leeds United had to put in a strong performance to draw 0-0 with Chelsea but Thomas Tuchel felt the pitch made things difficult for his team.
It was a closely fought contest at Elland Road and both sides had big chances to win the game.
Tuchel blamed the pitch after the game – and the surface has come under scrutiny in past weeks – but his players had 15 shots and failed to find the target.
Phil Hay thinks this was a ‘cheap shot’ and that the pitch was much better on Saturday.
After the match, Tuchel told BT Sport [Saturday, 2.30pm], “The pitch was poor today…the pitch was very difficult to play, very slippery, very bouncy.”
The Athletic’s Phil Hay disagreed with that verdict and argued the pitch was better than it has been in previous games.
In a fan Q&A he wrote, “The pitch was much better today. Far fewer players losing their footing on it.
“Tuchel has been complaining about it afterwards but if I’m being honest, it feels like a bit of a cheap shot. Other sides have had it worse in terms of the conditions here.”
Clutching at straws
Tuchel’s post-match interview was a little odd.
He seemed like a manager determined to defend his players at all costs and while that is respectable, it led him to make silly claims – such as blaming the pitch.
We have had to contend with a slippery surface for weeks and the pitch was the same for both teams on Saturday.
It did not upset the rhythm of the match or lead to any mistakes or chances missed, and we didn’t see any slips, so we think it is a poor excuse.
Chelsea dominated possession with 62% of the ball and could have won if they had a proven striker on the pitch.
Tuchel should be looking at his own decisions before having a go at us.
The simple fact is his mega-million squad was matched by our side and it seems he cannot take that.
We could have easily won the game too with Tyler Roberts and Raphinha coming close.
It is always amusing to see managers riled up by our effective style – particularly when it’s a rival boss.
In other Leeds United news, Marcelo Bielsa: This is why Rodrigo was replaced in Leeds draw v Chelsea.