'Clown', 'Garbage' – Fans not happy after Heckingbottom says Leeds player not good enough

Dave is a huge Leeds fan and ardent disciple of Bielsa ball. A career in print magazines that included editing PC Zone, launching PokerPlayer and redesigning The Big Issue has finally led Dave to writing about the love of his life, Leeds United. It’s been a tough 2020 but the single scariest moment was the first quarter of the game against Man City. Rodrigo will be the saviour this season.

Published on:

05 Mar 2018, 9:49 am

Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom delivered some good news and some bad news to young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Wolves clash.

He admitted that he was looking at the position of number one keeper Felix Wiedwald, who has been under criticism for weeks now after a string of poor performances.

He also confirmed that number two keeper Andy Lonergan was injured and that he wouldn't hesitate to start Peacock-Farrell if he had to.

Heckingbottom on Lonergan's injury: "It came at a bad time for him and us." Said he'd been training well prior to it. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) March 5, 2018

PH: “Andy Lonergan is unfit at the moment.” He says keepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Kamil Maziek are involved with the squad at the moment. He says he would not hesitate playing the former if needed. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) March 5, 2018

However, that was the end of the good news for Peacock-Farrell as the manager returned to him later on and said that he had told the youngster where he needed to improve and that he wasn't good enough for the first team yet.

Heckingbottom said he's spoken to Peacock-Farrell and told him he wants to see more for him. Feels like he's been standing still. "I needed to make it really clear what he needs to do to improve. It's down to him."
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) March 5, 2018

Leeds fans were not impressed by this and took to Twitter after hearing his comments.

Some fans said that he couldn't be as bad as Wiedwald and needed a chance.

Another said that if this was the case you had to blame Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta, while another said that the young goalkeeper should have been sent out on loan more to get vital experience.

All of the fans seem exasperated at the situation and Heckingbottom's comments - here are the beat reactions:

I can't see for the life of me how PF can be worse than Felix. If he is he wouldn't be still be at the club surely?
— Sam Jackson 💙💛 (@samjackson23) March 5, 2018

So, basically told him you’ve got to play like David De Gea, while FW gets to perform like Rachubka..... 🤔😲
— Chris Payne (@gingerstreak) March 5, 2018

BPF should have been out on loan more, only way to gain right experience to step up, U23’s to first team is a big gap. We have 3-4 keepers between U18 and U23 some need spells away at lower league clubs.
— Stephen Dalziel (@dalziel_stephen) March 5, 2018

and what about the 2 other keepers they have nothing to work on give the lad a chance can't be as bad as the other 2
— sam murrey (@sammurrey2) March 5, 2018

Sounds like Felix will be still in goal on Wednesday hope I’m wrong MOT
— Gel Hanley 🏆 (@Gel4th) March 5, 2018

Leeds play Wolves on Wednesday before a trip to Reading at the weekend, although any faint play-off hopes are really only mathematical at the moment after a terrible run of results.

In other Leeds news, 'Bad time' – Heckingbottom confirms Leeds injury blow, will 'not hesitate' to start 21-year old

Don’t miss out on breaking and exclusive Leeds news by clicking here for our brilliant 24/7 updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.