Paul Scholes has claimed that Leeds United winger Luis Sinisterra is both ‘stupid’ and ‘slightly unlucky’ for his sending-off during Leeds United’s goalless draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The former midfielder did slightly sympathise with Sinisterra for his two yellow cards, which came in quick succession, following the restart at Elland Road.
After being booked for a foul, the £21 million summer signing (Daily Mail) was then shown a second yellow card by on-field referee Stuart Attwell for stopping Aston Villa from taking a quick free-kick.
The Leeds United home crowd were already unhappy at some of the decisions Attwell was making and that call just raised the temperature in Yorkshire.
Despite being down to ten-man, Jesse Marsch’s players fought valiantly to deny Steven Gerrard’s side from scoring, with Illan Meslier denying Ollie Watkins – in both halves – a number of guilt-edge chances to score.
Whilst Scholes didn’t disagree with the call to send Sinisterra for an early bath, he could understand how natural instincts were kicking in when trying to stop Villa from taking a quick free-kick, as he told Premier League Productions (02/10/22 at 6:40 pm).
“The first one, it’s not nasty or aggressive, it’s just stupid,” said Scholes. “It’s definitely (a yellow). But once you are on a yellow card, do you know what, sometimes it’s just the reaction you have when you are stood so close to the free-kick.
“He’s a little bit unlucky there that the ball has actually hit him. I think the lad in front of him puts his leg out as well. He’s stupid and slightly unlucky.”
LEEDS POSITIVES
After conceding five to Brentford last time out, and then having to deal with a big break in between, this recent result should be seen as a positive for Leeds, especially given that they were playing with ten-men for the second half.
That’s a much-needed clean sheet to Leeds’ books and they haven’t been able to deliver them on a regular basis before, so that’s another plus for Marsch going forward.
Added with that, Patrick Bamford was also back on the pitch and his return will help elevate this Leeds side that has missed his presence in the final third.
The last time Bamford was fit and available, he was knocking on England’s door, so Leeds know exactly what he can produce when everything is going right for him.
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