Noel Whelan has criticised Leeds United midfielder Matt Grimes.
Noel Whelan in action against Leeds United’s Gunnar Halle
Former Leeds United striker and current pundit Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds that he hasn’t been impressed with midfielder Matt Grimes so far.
Leeds slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Derby County on Saturday afternoon, as Johnny Russell slammed home the winner for the Rams in the second half.
Matt Grimes
Whites boss Garry Monk will be disappointed to have lost for the second time in the last three games, but fans were left perplexed by some of his substitutions.
Leeds needed pace out wide but Monk substituted Hadi Sacko for Kemar Roofe in a like-for-like switch, before Alex Mowatt was bizarrely substituted for central midfielder Matt Grimes.
Chasing a goal, Leeds should have gone for two up front, but again Monk went like-for-like as striker Chris Wood as taken off in favour of Marcus Antonsson.
Matt Grimes in action
Ultimately though, the most confusing change was bringing on Grimes, who has not only made little impact at the club so far, but hasn’t even been making the matchday squad for some games this season
Grimes, 21, worked with Monk at Swansea City, and is currently on a season-long loan deal from the Swans, but has started just once so far having failed to impress at Elland Road.
QPR’s Massimo Luongo in action with Leeds United’s Matt Grimes
Now, former Leeds striker and current pundit Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds that he is wondering when Grimes is actually going to bring something to the Leeds side, and thinks that the former Exeter man simply isn’t as good as what Leeds already have.
“He had that one strike which was very poor from outside of the box, and he’ll admit that as well,” said Whelan. “I’m still kind of wondering what he’s actually going to bring to the team and to the squad, and how he’s going to make a difference when we are losing 1-0. He’s very much like what we’ve got, but not as good,” he added.
Do you think Grimes is good enough for Leeds United?
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