Noel Whelan believes that Pablo Hernandez’s angry reaction to being substituted for Leeds United last night might’ve stemmed from a sense of embarrassment.
Leeds effectively confirmed Premier League promotion in the scrappy 1-0 victory over Barnsley at Elland Road.
But Hernandez got some post-match headlines after kicking a water bottle and storming down the tunnel when Marcelo Bielsa hauled him off on the 90-minute mark, shortly after picking up a yellow card.
The 35-year-old Spanish magician only came on in the second half when Bielsa swapped Tyler Roberts for him at the break.
And former Whites hitman Whelan told BBC Radio Leeds that being subbed on and off in the same half may have triggered a sense of humiliation for the veteran playmaker.
He said: “You could see the frustration in that substitution. Disappointment in coming off and maybe a little bit of embarrassment as well, because it was on Sky. I think sometimes you can feel that way. It wasn’t to show him up because he’s the best player we have at the club.”
It could be that, but it also could be related to the fact he wasn’t going to be on the pitch at the full-time whistle.
Understandably, Leeds players engaged in some passionate celebrations at the very end and Hernandez will have wanted to be on the pitch for the moment that United – who are six points clear of third-placed Brentford with two games left – learned they were almost certainly going back into the Premier League.
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