Ahead of today’s Premier League clash between Leeds and Southampton, Chief Executive Angus Kinnear has written some programme notes.
The Leeds supremo specifically commented on the scenes at Molineux before the international break, as Luke Ayling secured all three points with a 91st minute winner.
It was an amazing moment, but Kinnear has pinpointed one aspect of it which was “appalling”.
What’s the story?
Well, Kinnear was not having any of Ayling’s celebration at Molineux in March.
In his programme notes, the Chief Executive wrote: “The only stain on our trip to the West Midlands was the series of appalling and embarrassing disciplinary lapses. Serial offender Mark Jackson received a yellow card a mere 25 years after his last Leeds United booking, Rodrigo was rightly carded for attempting to jump the waiting list for an Away Season Ticket – and Noah Kenneh wrote himself into Leeds United folklore by becoming the only player to receive his first booking before he played his first competitive minute.
“In respect of this achievement, we have waived the standard club fine and added it onto the one Luke Ayling will be receiving for his appalling goal celebration.”
Clearly, he didn’t think much of the £35,000-a-week man’s attempted cartwheel, which was limp in every sense of the word.
It was as if Ayling’s arms had turned to jelly as he attempted the acrobatics, only to just end up in a heap on the ground as his teammates mobbed him.
In all honesty, the 30-year-old’s failed celebration just made the scenes even better – it was sheer, utter chaos in that away end at Molineux.
Luke Ayling is vital to Leeds
In our view, Ayling has really stepped up for Leeds as the pressure intensifies.
The right-back may have already scored the most important goal of the season for Leeds – hotly contested by Joe Gelhardt’s late strike against Norwich – and he also seems to be a leader at Thorp Arch.
Only yesterday, we saw footage of Ayling helping 19-year-old Stuart McKinstry with his positioning in training, and while it was only a short clip, it speaks volumes about the Leeds No.2’s character.
Thanks to people like him at Elland Road, Leeds should narrowly avoid relegation.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
