BBC journalist sticks up for former int’l defender he claims was ‘scapegoated’ by Leeds fans
Stephen Crainey is not going to be a player who many Leeds United fans remember vividly for his time at Elland Road.
Although the former Scotland international, now retired, spent three years on the books at Elland Road, he was a widely-criticised left-back who is perhaps mainly remembered for missing the 2005/06 play-off final defeat to Watford.
In the semi-final, Crainey was sent off for two yellow cards despite Leeds going on to beat Preston 2-0 and secure their spot at Wembley.
Leeds then had to cope without their main left-back against Watford, with Matthew Kilgallon coming into the side to replace him.
BBC Radio Leeds journalist Adam Pope was discussing Crainey with some Leeds supporters on Twitter on Friday night and the broadcaster claimed that the ex-Celtic left-back “was scapegoated” and that he was a “far better player than was commonly perceived.”
It is a fair enough claim because after Crainey left Elland Road to join Blackpool in 2007, he helped the seaside club avoid relegation, establish themselves in the Championship and then go on to win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Crainey then made 31 top-flight appearances for Blackpool as they suffered relegation but many remember that side for punching well above their weight and offering some really exciting matches like the 4-0 win at Wigan in their first-ever Premier League game and wins against Liverpool and Tottenham.
Was Crainey under-rated by Leeds fans? He could have been, yes. But it seems that the Scot’s career got a lot better after he left Elland Road so him being scapegoated by United supporters could be seen as a blessing in disguise for him.
In other Leeds United news, fans are raging about this tweet by the EFL because of Ben White.