Simon Walton has told BBC Radio Leeds that Jesse Marsch deciding to bring off Brenden Aaronson during Leeds United’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace was “baffling” – worsened by Leeds immediately conceding to go 2-1 down.
Leeds had taken the lead after a moment of brilliance from the United States international. The 21-year-old went past a number of Palace defenders before curling an effort against the post – Pascal Struijk sliding home the rebound.
However, Palace came roaring back. With Leeds on top, Liam Cooper conceded a free-kick and Odsonne Edouard headed the resulting set-piece past Illan Meslier. Marsch then decided to bring on Mateusz Klich on 76 minutes.
But he decided to bring on Klich for Aaronson. A strange decision at the time, given Aaronson was probably his side’s best player on the day. Just seconds later, Ebere Eze made it 2-1. Walton said it was a “baffling” decision from Marsch.
“The Klich one baffled me,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “It didn’t help that they scored literally within a few seconds. But it baffled me a little bit to be honest, taking Aaronson off. Someone who looked like he had plenty of life left in him.”
Walton: Marsch deciding to bring off Leeds star Aaronson was ‘baffling’
It was baffling. Aaronson was the one Leeds player giving the Whites a bit of energy, despite the Yorkshire side dying off. Rodrigo was struggling to give Leeds that, while Jack Harrison early-season form is still missing in the Leeds side.
Patrick Bamford had been withdrawn earlier as he continues his comeback from injury. Aaronson continues to produce moments of magic and leaving him on for the entire 90 minutes might have seen Leeds conjure up some magic.
But instead, he brought Klich on and with Palace going 2-1 up, Leeds had withdrawn their most-creative attacking source – when they needed him the most. Perhaps, it will see Marsch learn that Aaronson must remain in the future.
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