The Whites right-back is struggling for form. Bielsa should look at drafting in one of two understudies in his place for the time being.
Things haven’t exactly gone according to plan in the opening few weeks of 2019 for Leeds United, with the team falling to a painful 3-1 defeat at the hands of Norwich City last Saturday.
Since the start of the year, the Whites’ form has wobbled, with January yielding three defeats in all competitions – the 4-2 Championship loss to Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day, the 2-1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup and the 2-1 league loss at Stoke City (official Leeds website).
Although Leeds did beat Derby County 2-0 and seemed to have got their form back on track with a 2-1 win at Rotherham United, their huge clash against their title rivals culminated on a loss which saw the two teams switch positions in the top two of the standings.
During the game against the Canaries, Luke Ayling put in a poor performance, his lofted pass ultimately leading to the opponents’ second goal 10 minutes before the break, and on the whole seemed off the pace at the visitors made the most of the flanks.
The 27-year-old right-back has struggled since returning from injury late in December and it’s getting to the point where he is becoming somewhat of a weak point in Marcelo Bielsa’s side, so questions should be asked whether somebody else should be given a go in his position.
Jamie Shackleton is one option, having filled in at full-back despite being a midfielder by trade, while Bryce Hosannah is another, even though he was previously ruled out for the best part of nine months and still seems to be edging his way towards full fitness.
Either way, Ayling is a good full-back on his day but given his form has deserted him, Bielsa could do worse than to let one of the understudies – both 19, relatively well rested, and in good form – take the mantle, starting with the weekend game against Middlesbrough.
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