Leeds United’s Vurnon Anita was snubbed again by Thomas Christiansen.
Conor Shaughnessy started in defensive midfield as Leeds United lost 1-0 at Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon.
It was a disappointing end to what’s been a very promising calendar year for the Whites.
Thomas Christiansen, who replaced Garry Monk in the summer, is a popular figure among Leeds fans, but his decision to start Shaughnessy ahead of other established players should frustrate the supporters – not to mention Vurnon Anita.
The summer signing is an excellent utility player, one who has impressed in a central midfield role down the years for Newcastle United and Christiansen should have put his faith in him, not a centre-back who had played one senior game in midfield before today.
Despite his size, Anita, who is the same height as N’Golo Kante (5’5), has the attributes and not to mention the experience that United were lacking in Shaughnessy.
Shaughnessy, who stands at 6’2, is obviously a more robust figure and that is probably why Christiansen chose him to shield Leeds’ defence, but it didn’t have the desired effect.
With Eunan O’Kane and Ronaldo Vieira missing through injury, Anita, who hasn’t played for Leeds in two months, must be wondering what he has to do to be given another chance and few could fault him if he was angry that it didn’t come on Saturday.
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