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Phil Hay identifies Leeds United individual potentially “not Premier League quality”

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Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk has come under a lot of criticism lately after his struggles at centre-back including in the last two games.

Leeds are licking their wounds from the last two games in the Premier League, sitting in 16th with their goal difference seriously tarnished after two horror results at home.

Crystal Palace and Liverpool have put 11 past Leeds in the last two games to see Leeds’ goal difference plummet from -11 to -20 ahead of game 32 this weekend against Fulham.

What is the problem for Leeds?

Three managers have now tried and failed to get a good tune out of the Leeds defence, begging the question of whether Javi Gracia’s defence are good enough for the challenge ahead.

Max Wöber’s injury has brought 16 goals conceded in the four games that he has not played a part in, with Pascal Struijk struggling in his place, particularly against the Eagles and the Reds.

This run of four games at the centre of defence is the first time he has had such an opportunity this season, but it’s not going to plan.

Is Struijk good enough?

Struijk’s credentials to start at centre-back have been called into question to a big extent this week after he was part of the defence that was dismantled for the second time on the spin, with Liverpool scoring six at Elland Road on Monday.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay isn’t sure that the Dutchman is up to scratch as a top flight defender, as he spoke on The Phil Hay Show about the 23-year-old:

“The problem I see in Struijk, and when push comes to shove it might be that he is not Premier League quality or he needs to be playing elsewhere, how much has he actually played at centre-back? There is a good player there. 

“But he doesn’t have the pace needed to play at full-back. Getting bombed in at centre-back when the season is going wrong, is hardly going to see the best of you.”

Fulham v Leeds predictions?

Fulham win

Fulham win

Draw

Draw

Leeds win

Leeds win

It has surely come to a point where Struijk is dropped for the foreseeable, and we either see Max Wöber brought back in, or Liam Cooper gets the nod.

Either of those options would be more beneficial for our defence than Struijk is at the moment, who seems to fold at the instant things get tough in defence.

There is no doubt that Struijk is a very talented defender, but as our whole squad is showing, talent and potential counts for very little right here and now, with pressure getting to a lot of the squad.

Quiz: Leeds United’s last 15 results v Fulham – Can you score 100%?

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FA Cup - February 2023

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.

0 comments

  • wilks says:

    Every player involved in the last two games must question their ability to play on the premiership.The biggest shame is on Orta and other management that bought players as cash cows not for the benefit of Leeds United as a team. The money was made available to buy the quality needed but as ever Orta got it wrong.
    Several players are happy to take the money but not the responsibility to graft out a win.
    If this is rubbish passes as Footbal these days they can keep it. We may as well watch old games from 40 years ago.
    Money is important for everyone, but the fans are paying a higher price than management and players.

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