David Prutton: This Leeds pair were unlucky to miss out on team of the season
By Dominic Toner
David Prutton believes that Leeds pair Kyle Bartley and Luke Ayling were unfortunate to miss out on the EFL’s Championship team of the year.
The EFL announced their best XI on Monday and it included Leeds duo Pontus Jansson and Chris Wood.
Meanwhile, Brighton, Newcastle Huddersfield and Fulham were also represented in the side.
Former Whites midfielder Prutton believes that the club’s defensive pair Bartley and Ayling may be a tad unfortunate to miss out on a spot.
“You can argue the toss in a few positions – Matt Ritchie, Kyle Bartley and Luke Ayling are three players who I’d see as unlucky to be missing – but there are no ridiculous choices,” Prutton wrote in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Bartley moved to Elland Road at the beginning of the season on a season-long loan from Swansea and has been a commanding figure at centre-back.
The 25-year-old has been a key figure under manager Garry Monk and the pair previously worked together at the Liberty Stadium.
He has played an important role in the club’s push for promotion and helped them up to fourth in the Championship, meaning they are likely to compete in the play-offs at the end of the campaign.
Bartley has made 42 appearances across all competitions this season and has built a solid partnership alongside Jansson.
Meanwhile, the Yorkshire club completed a deal for defender Ayling in the summer from Bristol City and he has been another ever-present under Monk.
The 25-year-old has played at right-back for most of the campaign, but has also proved his versatility by acting as an emergency centre-back.
In other Leeds news, a report details why Monk made the decision to axe Jansson against Brighton.
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