Leeds United fans will still be reeling from Sunday’s Championship play-off final defeat to Southampton.
Daniel Farke and his men arrived at Wembley Stadium as favourites for this high-pressure, Premier League-rewarding affair.
But, in the end, Leeds suffered a deserved 1-0 defeat, and what will hurt the most is that the team failed to show up in the most important game of the season.
What’s remarkable is that Leeds started the game quite effectively, setting the pace and providing hopeful signs without troubling Southampton’s goalkeeper.
But Russell Martin’s team began to dominate the game, opening the scoring through Adam Armstrong and then completing their jobs flawlessly from back to front, with no reaction from their opponents throughout the encounter.
You can’t blame the Leeds fans for being upset not only by the defeat, but also for their players’ failure to show up, and everyone, with the exception of one, deserves the verbal abuse they’ll receive.
Troy Deeney wanted to praise Dan James, who was introduced into the action shortly after the hour mark.
The former striker told Sky Sports Football that he spoke with the speedster after the match and felt he was ‘the greatest player on the pitch by a country mile’ when he came on.
That one major moment arrived when James struck the woodwork with a spectacular attempt from the edge of the box.
You could tell Leeds’ luck was not on their side when the ball bounced straight back out of danger.
Dan James is congratulated after Leeds United lose the play-off final.
“I went and saw Dan James just now,” Deeney stated. “It’s not about Leeds, and this isn’t their moment. But he was fantastic when he came on.
“It is a readiness to. You don’t need to be speedy. You can recognize space and declare, ‘I am going to run’. When they removed their two greatest players this season, the wide guys, and replaced them with (Dan James and Jaidon Anthony). All they wanted to do was come up short and run behind. They began dinking balls and questioning Southampton, causing problems.
“Dan James was by far the best player on the pitch when he came on.” All he did, and I just spoke with him, was come short and rush in behind. Utilize his assets. “He’s quick.”
Significant changes at Leeds United
You have a feeling there will be a lot of changes at the club this summer. Mostly forced.
From a financial standpoint, you believe some players will leave, and winger Crysencio Summerville is likely to be among them.
Archie Gray and others may see increased transfer interest, but Leeds must be brave and maintain as many of their vital players as possible.
Farke will most likely keep his job, but he needs to get off to a good start next season or the supporters will be out for his head.
