Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers went head-to-head this week.
While Leeds United fans have taken many of their recent signings to their hearts, one that continues to divide opinion is Eunan O’Kane.
The midfielder started alongside Liam Bridcutt against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday evening, while teenage sensation Ronaldo Vieira took his place on the bench, and some Leeds fans questioned the wisdom of overlooking the latter in favour of the 26-year-old.
There is a feeling among many that Vieira and Bridcutt are the best central midfield partnership at the club, and that whenever O’Kane is preferred it is a mistake on the part of manager Garry Monk.
But is that fair on the summer signing?
See also: Leeds agreed January deal for Premier League youngster before late blow
After all, against Blackburn he put in a fine individual performance even if his detractors will argue that statistics only tell part of the story.
| Passing Accuracy | Effective Clearances | Tackles Won | Interceptions Won | Duels Won | Dispossessed | Ball Recoveries | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eunan O’Kane | 78% | 1 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 78 |
On Wednesday, O’Kane won four tackles, 10 duels and seven ball recoveries, the most of any Leeds player on the night in all three categories.
That is where a midfielder should excel, in battling, retaining and recovering the ball and keeping things ticking over, and O’Kane certainly did what was asked of him.
See also: Surely Leeds player’s time is up at Elland Road after Monk decision
Dispossessed just once all night, the Leeds player did his best, and while Vieira is the next big thing at Elland Road it is not fair to cast O’Kane as the awful alternative.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
