Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 2: Lee Sobot's YEP video verdict
There were smatterings of frustration among Leeds United fans following Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa.
Chris Sutton has warned things could turn ‘quite ugly’ for Daniel Farke at Leeds United with three tough games on the horizon.
Leeds fell to their fifth defeat in six games on Sunday after throwing away an early lead to lose 2-1 at home to Aston Villa. The result leaves Farke’s side in the bottom three and below the point-per-game he and club chiefs have regularly stated as a target throughout the season so far.
There were signs of frustration in the stands during Sunday’s defeat, with fans chanting for Farke to ‘make a sub’ around the hour-mark, 10 minutes before his 70th-minute changes. The full-time whistle was also met with a smattering of boos while a post-match lap of the pitch drew mixed responses.
Things aren’t expected to get any easier for Leeds as they look to climb back out of the relegation zone, with a weekend trip to Manchester City followed by home games against Chelsea and Liverpool. And while Sutton didn’t see evidence of any major revolt on Sunday, he believes it could turn.
“I thought in the main the atmosphere was okay,” Sutton told The Monday Night Club. “Because of the noise around Leeds at the start of the season, some negativity towards Daniel Farke - it was a big game for them yesterday - I thought there might have been more dissent from the Leeds fans.
“I always felt Leeds were always going to be in a relegation battle this season but I think they’ve been competitive. Their recent run is the poorest run of the season. They're still in there, they're scrapping, they've got a difficult run of games, but if I’m a Leeds fan I'm not totally distressed.
“There’s always going to be niggles from fans towards the manager but I do think it could turn quite ugly quickly at Leeds. They’ve got a tough run now.”
Chris Sutton weighs in on Brenden Aaronson vs Dan James debate
The decision to start Brenden Aaronson on Sunday was a pre-game talking point amid growing calls for the return of Daniel James. The Welshman has been steadily building fitness after an ankle injury but started twice for Wales during the recent international break, registering a goal and an assist, while Willy Gnonto was also back in a matchday squad for the first time since September.
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Elland Road chanted for James and Gnonto following an attack that broke down when Aaronson was dispossessed, but manager Farke hit out at the criticism his American winger is currently facing. And Sutton pointed to the only recent returns of his two main right-wing competitors as evidence for his continued place in the starting line-up.
“There’s a negativity surrounding Aaronson,” the former striker added. “I don’t want to speak on behalf of Leeds fans but some think he’s a little bit lightweight. They’re different players, him and Daniel James.
“But I think Leeds fans want James to start games. I think Daniel Farke spoke about it though and said James had been injured, they’re nursing him back and it will take time and it was the same with Gnonto as well.”
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