‘Hurt’ Bate has been destroyed by Bielsa after Leeds reveal – Mills
Danny Mills has claimed Lewis Bate will be “hurt” after he was dragged off as Leeds United beat West Ham 3-2 yesterday (16 January).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Whites and England defender suggested Bate’s confidence may be shattered by Marcelo Bielsa’s decision at the London Stadium.
The midfielder was brought on for his Premier League debut after 22 minutes before being substituted off for Rodrigo at the midway point through the second half.
He made his Whites debut the week before (9 January) in the 2-0 defeat by the same opposition in the FA Cup third round.
As quoted by Leeds Live after the game, Bielsa claimed he was brought off because Rodrigo was not fit enough to be introduced so early into the first half.
“I find it strange and interesting at the same time,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“To bring on a young player who you clearly believe in and trust in after you’ve brought him already against the same team you can say ‘Go and prove a point’.
“It was a strange one. You’re taken off because you didn’t play particularly well first time out against West Ham, then you’re taken off again. Even if that’s a tactical switch, whatever the manager says it’s going to hurt, it will dent your confidence and make you feel you’re not good enough.
“If he’s on the bench, Bielsa doesn’t just throw people in for the sake of it, it’s nothing to do with a lack of fitness.
“Confidence wise, that can be quite detrimental to a young player.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Leeds United are immune to a Government Crackdown after a £6million sponsor reveal.