Of all the things to occur before the Leeds United vs Derby County game, you wouldn’t have put your money on spying being the major talking point.
Yet, as strange as that sounds, that is exactly what has happened after Thursday’s escapades. In what seems like an act born from the pages of fiction, a Leeds United ’employee’ was detained by police called to Derby County’s training facility.
This ’employee’ was armed with a set of pliers and a pair of binoculars, with Derby boss Frank Lampard stopping their training and this extraneous person being escorted away by the authorities.
Then it transpired that he was working under direction of Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa, something that the Argentinian confirmed before the kick-off of last night’s game.
The game itself was a Leeds United masterclass, Derby simply swept away from minute 1 to minute 90. The Rams had no answer for Leeds United’s dominant pressing play as the home side swarmed and overwhelmed them.
The SpyGate debate though, that continued beyond the after events of the game, spawning comments all night long. One who continued it this morning was pundit Stan Collymore.
In a series of early tweets, eight to be exact, Collymore started off by saying the following,
Bielsa /Lampard
1. Every player/manager coming to England should receive information as to how the sporting culture works HERE. (Leeds fans, if an Aussie turned up at Headingley using bottle tops and sweets and more to affect a game, you wouldn’t be happy)
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) January 12, 2019
before ending with:
Bielsa /Lampard
Conclusion.
Leeds should be sanctioned by the FA for unsporting behaviour and at a minimum be made to replay the fixture, a fine for Bielsa and club.
Make as light of this as you like. It continues, we have major integrity competition integrity issues ahead.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) January 12, 2019
The six tweets in between expounded his arguments, where he elaborated on why he thought Bielsa and Leeds United were in the wrong. He touched on topics such as ‘style of play’, ‘cheating’ and ‘significant disruption’.
Whilst the first seven tweets received some manner of reaction, it is safe to say that his final tweet containing phrases such as “Leeds should be sanctioned” and “at a minimum be made to replay the fixture, a fine for Bielsa and club” were enough to spark the massive majority of comments.
Leeds United fans respond to Collymore tweet [sanitised versions]
Used to like once upon a time mate but tbh as times gone by the only thing that seems to come out of yerself righteous mouth is chronic diarrhea. Think u should sanction yourself for not being taken seriously anymore #unfollow🍺👍
— Paul Burnett (@goldsize) January 12, 2019
Replay the fixture, what is he on 😂
— Mark Hefter (@statts1971) January 12, 2019
I get you now, you are doing it for the clicks 👀😂
— Pete’s Leeds😎 🍻🇬 (@BadgeSmiley) January 12, 2019
Seriously. 😂😂😂
— Keith Taylor (@sergeantdudfoot) January 12, 2019
What’s ‘major integrity competition integrity issues’ mean Stan. Don’t choke on your cornflakes mate, just admire that performance last night and enjoy Bielsa’s Leeds. They’re a joy to watch!
— hirstyleeds (@Bielsasdisciple) January 12, 2019
Bit harsh on Derby Stan. Why put them through it again?
Quit with your anti-leeds bias.
How about a comment how awesome #LUFC were last night. No? Didn’t think so.
— Jimbo Powlerio (@JimboPowlerio) January 12, 2019
Always respected your often honest opinions Stan, but thats utter tosh, and you know it, no actual offence has been committed, its no worse than an opposition manager/coach sitting in the stand on matchday watching an upcoming opponent. #lufc #MOT #SpyGate #spygate
— James Hutchinson (@JimHutchy) January 12, 2019