Many Leeds United fans expected Adryan to come off the bench as their side chased a winner against Birmingham City, so why didn’t he?
Alex Mowatt’s equaliser gave Leeds United a point against their Championship rivals Birmingham City on Saturday.
But with the clock ticking down and caretaker boss Neil Redfearn having only used two substitutes, some fans thought it was time for loan signing Adryan to be given a chance.
Having featured for Leeds’ under-21s on Monday, and impressing in the process, the Brazilian found himself on the bench for the lunchtime kick-off at St. Andrew’s.
But on the bench is where he stayed, as Redfearn opted to send only Souleymane Doukara and Rodolph Austin on as the Whites searched for the win.
Given that Adryan is only 20, and that he will take time to get used to the rigours of Championship football, perhaps sending him on away from home with his side chasing the victory was not the wisest move.
But others would argue that his flair was exactly what Leeds needed in those final moments, giving Birmingham something different to think about.
Either way, the player did not come on, and journalist Phil Hay has since tweeted comments attributed to Redfearn which reveal why the youngster was not introduced.
“Redfearn said he considered throwing on Adryan but thought Leeds needed the ‘pace and power’ (of) Doukara and Austin,” Hay tweeted.
So there you have it, pace and power over guile and youth, but Adryan’s time will come, he is too good for it not to.
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