Leeds United’s play-off hopes in the Championship are all but over following their draw with Norwich City on Saturday.
Pablo Hernandez celebrates scoring
Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds that he was impressed by the performances of Rob Green and Pablo Hernandez in the Whites’ draw with Norwich City on Saturday.
Despite fighting back from 3-0 down to earn a point, Leeds’ play-off hopes suffered a fatal blow at Elland Road as they now go into the final day of the campaign three points behind Fulham but with a considerably inferior goal difference.
The gap could have arguably been slightly greater if not for Green and Hernandez. The former made a handful of wonderful saves, while Hernandez’s piece of magic from a free-kick provided Leeds’ equaliser, and Whelan expressed how impressed he was by both men.
“It could have been four or five were it not for Rob Green keeping his side in. He’s made some real world-class saves today despite what’s been at stake. His mental strength is incredible,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
Robert Green of Leeds United saves a shot from Nelson Oliveira of Norwich City
“Hernandez has that added bit of quality to change games with one moment of brilliance, and he did that today. He got on the ball, drove past players, tried to make things happen.”
As Whelan somewhat alluded to, Green has arguably been Leeds’ best and most reliable player since the turn of the year, and has most definitely been their most impressive player during their recent poor run.
And while Hernandez has often been a frustrating figure within the side, he has also been capable of producing moments of brilliance.
And although the pair have been unable to keep the side’s promotion hopes alive, their experience will surely be crucial next season when the Whites try to clear the hurdle that has proved to be just too big for the squad this year.
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