Neil Champney

Thu 16 July 2020 17:49, UK

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa caught everybody off guard a little when he set up his side to face Barnsley on Thursday evening. 

Rather than persisting with the Whites’ tried and trusted 4-1-4-1, the Argentine instead opted for a three at the back, with two wing-backs and Ben White shielding the defence.

And it’s safe to say that supporters were less than impressed with what this meant for Luke Ayling in particular.

Whereas the 28-year-old would ordinarily be given the licence and freedom to get up and down the right flank in support of his winger, the versatile defender was instead given a much more measured task.

And over the course of some tetchy opening exchanges, many fans took to social media to make it known that they felt he was being “wasted” in a more central role.

We would be inclined to agree too.

If we’re being honest this wasn’t really Ayling’s fault.

It was Bielsa who chose to slot him in at centre-back, and the player can only do what he’s asked to do.

But there was more than one misplaced pass from Ayling, and he didn’t always look as comfortable in possession as White might have, for instance.

The stats back that up too.

So far this season, Ayling has registered a pass completion rate that is 7% lower than White’s, as per Wyscout.

Similarly, he has given the ball away 6.41 more times per game this term.

When so much of Leeds’ play comes from the ball-playing abilities of their centre-halves, that disparity is much more noticeable.

After taking the lead just before the half-hour mark through a Barnsley own goal, nerves were settled considerably, but the first quarter of this match was proof that when it comes to Ayling, he is better out wide.

Here are some of the best tweets from Leeds fans on social media:

https://twitter.com/fcb_dx/status/1283797397995433984?s=20

https://twitter.com/clunn1989/status/1283797084316078082?s=20

In other Leeds United news, ‘Staggered’ – Ally McCoist makes big Leeds prediction ahead of clash v Barnsley