Pablo Hernandez struggled to make a major impression during Leeds United’s defeat to Barnsley on Saturday.
Leeds United lost for the first time since December on Saturday as they were beaten 3-2 away at Barnsley. And while Chris Wood is perhaps the one player who can be content with his performance – he scored both of the Whites’ goals – Pablo Hernandez may be particularly disappointed with his display.
It was the Spaniard however, who created the opening goal as his corner found Wood. But that is certainly as good as it got for the 31-year-old, as the statistics prove.
Leeds’ Pablo Hernandez in action with Derby’s Bradley Johnson
Leeds’ biggest problem throughout the game appeared to be supporting Wood. Hernandez, Kemar Roofe and Souleymane Doukara have done an excellent job of asking questions of opposition defenders and creating chances in recent weeks, but Barnsley did just as good a job of isolating the New Zealander.
And unfortunately for Monk, Hernandez was unable to produce the kind of magic Leeds, and Wood in particular, so desperately needed.
| Total crosses | Accurate crosses | Total dribbles | Successful dribbles | Attempts | Attempts on target | Duels won | Duels lost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pablo Hernández | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
No player in the Championship attempted more crosses than the former Swansea man this weekend. However, of his 15 balls into the box – only four players in the division reached double figures in that area – he found a teammate just three times.
And it was not just when to create chances for his teammates that he struggled. Hernandez had one shot on goal throughout the contest, but failed to test the keeper on that occasion.
And Barnsley’s dominance in the midfield battle – which had proved so vital to Leeds’ victory over Derby in their previous game – is highlighted by the fact that Hernandez engaged in 10 duels, but won just one.
Given Hernandez’s ability and the form he has shown during the campaign so far, Monk will surely avoid being too harsh on the playmaker as he will know that he will undoubtedly be at the heart of a large proportion of the victories that Leeds secure between now and the end of the season and will have a major say if the Whites ultimately get promoted.
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