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If new Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom has any realistic chance of recapturing the form that saw Leeds top of the table in August, then Pablo Hernadez has to start.
Pablo Hernández gave an impressive performance when he replaced the injured Kemar Roofe just before half time against #SUFC. Here are his stats from the game at the weekend #EFL #LUFC #MOT @PhillipStoner pic.twitter.com/XxkpyFxnWl
— StatZone (@StatZoneSports) February 12, 2018
Hernandez’s numbers confirmed what everyone saw against Sheffield United, that the game changed for the better when he was on the pitch rather than Kemar Roofe. While neither Roofe nor Hernandez are wingers, per se, but Hernandez’s ability to control a match and pick out players to create chances far outstrips Roofe’s ability. And while Roofe might be more athletic and able to run, Hernandez has all of the veteran experience, if not the endurance.
Heckingbottom has talked about wanting to give it a shot to try and qualify for the playoffs, and while that’s nice to think and talk about, if he’s serious, he needs to start Hernandez. If he wants to see what the youth bring, then blood them and settle for midtable mediocrity.
On to the links.
Leeds United Links
Latest Mighty Whites Podcast is now available. [Through It All Together]
Mateusz Klich threw some shade at Thomas Christiansen in an interview in the Netherlands and insisted that he could have played a part for Leeds this season. [Yorkshire Evening Post]
Adam Forshaw hopes to lead by example while at Leeds. [Yorkshire Evening Post]
England and English Football Links
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Daniel Sturridge is hurt. West Bromwich Albion boss Alan Pardew says that he hopes to have the striker back in two weeks. We’ve all heard that before. [BBC.com]
Seven British clubs restart their European dreams this week. Who is likely to crash out and who is likely to embrace glory? [BBC.com]
Manchester City can wrap up the title on 7 April when they play Manchester United. [The Independent]
World Football Links
Liga MX teams and players protested the proposed “temporary” suspension of promotion and relegation in Mexico. [FMF State of Mind]
Three key numbers from AC Milan’s win over SPAL. [AC Milan Offside]
A look back to 2006 when Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o almost walked off the pitch against Real Zaragoza due to racist abuse from the crowd. [Stars and Stripes FC]