The Leeds United captain was not at his best at the weekend.
The moment Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson was ruled out of the weekend clash with Cardiff City, the importance of Liam Bridcutt doubled.
After all, the Whites are a relatively young side relying on a few players with the steel and experience required to pull them through tough fixtures.
Bridcutt should be stepping up in Jansson’s absence; instead he put in a sub-standard performance before being dismissed with four minutes remaining.
The Scotland international has looked out of sorts for a few weeks now and it is worrying that Leeds are beginning to slip just when they need to maintain their focus – and their resilience – in a division where anyone can beat anyone else on their day.
Jansson rarely has an off-day, but Leeds are sometimes guilty of them when the Swede is not available and Bridcutt needs to step up, especially when he is selected alongside the supremely talented but hardly experienced Ronaldo Vieira.
There is plenty of football still to be played, and Leeds have the players and the manager to ensure they finish in the top six come May. But Bridcutt needs to shake off the cobwebs and step up.
As skipper it is the least he should do.
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