'Outstanding', 'Immense' – Leeds fans blown away by one player despite 1-0 loss v Villa

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:

14 Apr 2018, 5:00 am

Leeds fans lost yet another game in the Championship last night, this time suffering a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.

The result might not have been a surprise but the marked difference between the performances of the senior players and the Under-23s that Paul Heckingbottom has drafted in was.

And while goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Tom Pearce came in for praise, Leeds fans thought that enforcer Paudie O'Connor was "outstanding".

The 20-year-old only made his debut a week ago against Sunderland but he's already become a fan favourite.

He was up against a dazzling Aston Villa attack hellbent on hauling back the two teams above them in the chase for automatic promotion, and fresh off a brilliant win against Cardiff.

And, for the most part, O'Connor kept them at bay, and had the Leeds fans rushing onto Twitter to praise him.

He's one of the few shining lights in a season that most fans will want to forget.

Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans to the 20-year-old's display:

Despite the defeat, some positives from the game last night, where I thought we deserved a draw. The back 5 looked much better and again second half, we dominated possession until late on. Pearce and O’Connor were outstanding but Pennington had his best game in a Leeds shirt.
— Jez (@JezBrett1) April 14, 2018

O’Connor, Pearce, BPF have something to build on did well considering age and experience. The rest I have to wonder how they made it never mind got the chance to play for a club like Leeds and don’t get me started on lassoga !!
— Mark (@MarkGib95609147) April 14, 2018

O'connor was the standout. Ronny Vieira very good too
— Ups and downs (@sam51h) April 14, 2018

@andrearadri who would have said start of season BPF, O'Connor & Pearce Leeds best players - great recruitment.
— mryland (@nzryland) April 13, 2018

In other Leeds news, 'Useless', 'Not even National League level': Leeds fans destroy one player after shocker v Villa

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Paudie O'Connor