Marcelo Bielsa proved correct again as Leeds boss backs Luke Ayling

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Luke Ayling appears to be starting to find his best form for promotion-chasing Leeds United.

It was not too long ago that many Leeds fans were calling for Jamie Shackleton to get his chance to start at right-back with Luke Ayling’s form proving to be a concern.

After returning from injury in December, Ayling was clearly having a difficult time rediscovering the form that he showed during his first year at Elland Road when he was arguably one of the best right-backs in the Championship.

And he went into last month’s clash with Swansea City desperately needing a big performance with Shackleton’s stock continuing to rise as he continues to impress in whichever role he is used in.

But, despite given away the penalty that set up a nervy finish, Ayling provided an excellent response to his critics on that night and he has since looked much more like his old self.

And his turnaround took a major step towards being completed at the weekend as he produced a fantastic performance against his former club Bristol City. With the Robins looking at securing a play-off spot and Sheffield United knocking Leeds out of the top two earlier in the day, it was a massive three points.

And once again, Ayling’s apparent return to form just proves that Marcelo Bielsa clearly knows best when he decides to keep faith in the players that have come in for criticism.

The likes of Gjanni Alioski, Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and Tyler Roberts have struggled to make an impact at times this term, or appear to have gone off the boil after brilliant patches of form.

But just as Ayling has now done, they have repaid Bielsa for his loyalty. All five men started at Ashton Gate on Saturday and seem to be hitting form at the ideal time.

And while Ayling needs to ensure that his standards do not drop if he hopes to prove that he is truly back to his best, it does appear that Bielsa has pulled off another masterstroke by standing by the full-back when a large portion of the fans, understandably, had their concerns.