Leeds United employee makes ‘gutting’ dressing room claim after ‘terrible’ Dan James reveal
Noel Whelan has admitted Dan James’ red card against Arsenal will have left the Leeds United dressing room “gutted” ahead of the final two games of the season.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the rest of the squad need to “rally” around the 24-year-old and Luke Ayling during their respective suspensions.
Speaking after the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea (11 May), as quoted by Leeds Live, Jesse Marsch revealed James “felt terrible” after his red for a foul on Mateo Kovacic.
He joins Ayling on the sidelines after the defender was sent off against Arsenal.
Whelan admitted the duo’s red cards will have been a crushing blow for the entire dressing room.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He’ll be gutted, along with everybody, that we’re not going to have him for the next two games. He could have been pivotal.
“As a teammate, you feel that element of disappointment because you know how big a player he is for you. Like Luke Ayling, the two of them will be sitting there with their heads in their hands feeling lower than a snake’s belly.
“They want to be in this fight. Unfortunately, they just showed a little bit too much of that fight and that passion. It’s one moment of making a decision that has gone against them.
“They’re two players that are so important to the club. Teammates will have to rally around them because you’ve probably done that yourself in your career at some point.”
Leeds face Brighton and Brentford in their final two games of the season.
They currently sit 18th in the table, behind Burnley on goal difference.
In other news, pundit claims Marsch will not be at Leeds United next season.