Javi Gracia needs to bring Leeds United defender Luke Ayling off v Brighton
Brighton are seeming to have a lot of freedom down their left side as they’re taking the game to Leeds United on Saturday, 11 March.
Playing against Karou Mitoma, one of the sharpest dribbles in the Premier League was never going to be easy and Luke Ayling has appeared to struggle against him.
For Alexis Mac Allister’s goal, the Japan international easily beat the right-back in the air to set up a delightful goal-scoring opportunity for the visitors.
Even in the initial phases of the contest, Ayling was twice found shockingly out of position which saw Brighton having decent shot-taking opportunities on that side.
The English defender has already been drilled past once by the Japan international and lost both his aerial duels of the contest as well.
Going forward, the right-back is a threat, but he doesn’t have the legs like Mitoma does to run the length of the pitch on the occasion of a turnover.
In the 28th minute, Mitoma tracked Ayling all the way back to his own box to prevent him from having a shot at goal.
The fear for Javi Gracia is that his right-back seems likely to make a costlier error that could lead to the visitors finding the back of the net.
Rasmus Kristensen is a good option to bring off the bench and it remains to be seen if the Spaniard is willing to pull the trigger.
Ayling is the captain and one of his most senior players so it could be a difficult move at half-time and he could perhaps wait until the second half.
In other Leeds United news, the club may now face a losing battle to keep their star player at Elland Road beyond the summer transfer window.
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