‘Lackadaisical’ – Andrews & Higginbotham slam Leeds key player v Hull
Kalvin Phillips returned to the Leeds United starting line-up at Hull City on Saturday after missing the win against Middlesbrough earlier in the week.
The 23-year-old helped Leeds earn a big 4-0 win away at the KCOM Stadium but has drawn criticism for his performance on Humberside.
In the first half especially, the Whites were not completely at the races despite Luke Ayling’s deflected shot putting Marcelo Bielsa’s side ahead.
Hull had chances to equalise and one of them came through Martin Samuelsen after Phillips conceded possession in his own half.
Sky Sports commentator Danny Higginbotham was less than impressed with the Leeds player on that occasion.
“It was Phillips uncharacteristically giving the ball away. He’s just been a bit lackadaisical in the last few moments,” said Higginbotham on Sky Sports Main Event.
Former West Brom midfielder Keith Andrews then aimed more criticism at Phillips after the game had ended.
After full-time, Andrews said: “He’s come back in and it’s not been his best game. He’s probably not fully fit but obviously we don’t know the extent of that.”
Was the criticism fair?
Phillips probably wasn’t 100 per cent fit but it was essential that he returned to the side this weekend just because he’s so key to the way that Leeds play.
However it is fair to say that his pass accuracy was not exactly what it usually is.
According to stats by WhoScored, Phillips completed 76.1 per cent of his attempted passes at the KCOM this weekend.
Out of games where he’s completed 90 minutes this season, that was the sixth-lowest pass accuracy of the season for the England international hopeful.
Sure there’s room for improvement but Hull definitely played with a high-press on Saturday and that could have had something to do with it.
In other Leeds United news, Jimmy Floyd Hassebaink was frustrated by this Leeds player’s display at Hull.