‘He was a threat all afternoon’: Sky pundit praises Leeds duo after Saints draw

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Tim Sherwood has claimed that Raphinha was a ‘threat all afternoon’ during Leeds United’s 1-1 draw against Southampton at Elland Road.

Whilst Raphinha was dancing down the wing for Leeds yesterday, the fans also saw the return of their captain and leader at the back, Liam Copper, as Sherwood shared that he played well upon his return.

Leeds’ spine has been ripped out of them this season, with Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips and Cooper hardly spending time out on the field together.

Even now, with the return of Phillips and Cooper, they might not see Bamford again this season after another injury blow for the striker before the international break.

But Sherwood thinks Jesse Marsch’s side still have enough important figures out on that pitch, as he made it clear that he wants them in the Premier League next season, as he told Sky Sports Football (02/04/22 at 5:40 pm).

“Raphinha goes down the right-hand side,” said Sherwood. “He was a threat all afternoon. He goes to the byline. Cuts it back. It’s a poor hand, from the cross, from Forster. 

“He palms it into the six-yard box and Harrison is the first to react and studs it over the line.

On Liam Cooper: “He did alright. He got through it injury-free. Kalvin Phillips also came on. You have Dallas there now, Ayling, Cooper and Phillips. 

“All looking good for Jesse Marsch and I think he has steadied the ship. Hopefully, we see them in the Premier League next season because they are ‘the entertainers’.”

Those in the bottom three will feel that they can still claw the Whites back and into further problems.

But it seems as though they have done enough to secure their safety for another campaign.

To add a little comfort for those in Yorkshire, perhaps sprinkling two final wins during these final few months will all but confirm that this injury-hit season can be put behind.

It will be interesting to see if Leeds also invite Marcelo Bielsa back for their final home game of the campaign – Brighton – because they should be mathematically safe by then and the Argentine probably deserves one last goodbye.