Leeds United are always going to be on a hiding to nothing at times, such is the high expectation that comes from their fans.
That isn’t a criticism by the way, it is a sign of the fervent commitment that Leeds United fans have for their side. It is a fervent commitment that they demand from the players too.
Whenever players drop below that level, fans respond with pelters and ones delivered with venom at times. Rightly or wrongly, the criticisms are delivered fairly. For as critical as they can be at underperformance, they are also generous with praise when it is deserved.
It has definitely been deserved for Luke Ayling who for the second pre-season game has shown just what a threat he can be when getting forward from his usual right-back position. That attacking intent has brought him two goals in two games, his first against Forest green being followed up today by the equaliser against Southend.
34' GGGGOOOAAAALLLL!!! Luke Ayling plays a neat one-two with Adam Forshaw, before finding the bottom corner with a curling effort from the edge of the box! 1-1
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 22, 2018
Since arriving from Bristol City, right-back Ayling has proven to be one of Leeds’ most consistent players and one who was definitely missed when injured last season. It is safe to say that his goal today has gone down well with Leeds United fans.
Here are some of the fan reactions after Ayling’s excellently worked equaliser. First the goal itself:
Luke Ayling on 🎯 again for his second successive game pic.twitter.com/rIWoMyWLTU
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 22, 2018
Now the fan reactions to that goal:
Bielsa once again proving his genius. Not one of us would have thought Ayling as a number 9.
— 🙂 (@Max_LUFC) July 22, 2018
Bloody hell, who’d have thought @lukeayling_8 has a killer finish on him? He’s probably been one of our best players the last two seasons but we’ve never seen this side of his game before and I’m loving it 👍🏽
— Mob(Cap)Mentality (@M_C_Mentality) July 22, 2018
Leeds are going to score more goals than having new signings by the end of preseason.
— George Macpherson (@GeorgeMacphers1) July 22, 2018
Ayling’s on fire, your defence is terrified
— FionaCK (@FionaCK) July 22, 2018
Bagging 20 this season
— BC (@BC_LUFC) July 22, 2018
So that’s why we didn’t sign Vydra … Ayling up top! #bielsaball #mot #lufc pic.twitter.com/x2GrTAjXli
— Jeff McConnell (@jeff_mcconnell) July 22, 2018
Who needs a new Striker or any new signings, we have RB banging them in for fun…. Woop Woop #LUFC pic.twitter.com/jY9UM5htQ9
— Tom Holynski (@ThommHol) July 22, 2018
Play him as a wing back or winger hes looking good pre-season if we could get another quality centre back in think 3-5-2 would suit our players we have got
— Clarke one nil (@one_clarke) July 22, 2018
— Anders (@BenBuford) July 22, 2018
