Pundit: ‘I feel sorry’ for Bate as ‘problem’ raised after Leeds clash
Alan Hutton has suggested Lewis Bate’s confidence may have taken a major hit after being substituted on and off again for Leeds United versus West Ham.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he felt “really sorry” for the 19-year-old in the Whites’ 3-2 win on Sunday (16 January).
Bate replaced Adam Forshaw 22 minutes in to make his Premier League debut at the London Stadium.
However, he only played 43 minutes before being taken off for Rodrigo Moreno.
Hutton admitted his heart bled for the teenager as he walked off the pitch.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: I did feel for the boy from Chelsea, Lewis Bate. He came on and then went back off.
“You have to feel for somebody like that and his confidence. I mean, obviously, he’s shown enough to be in the squad and be brought on as a sub.
“To be then be brought back off, the camera panned right on him and he looked like he was looking for a hole to jump in.
“I really felt sorry for him. Things like that can be a problem.
“I think Bielsa must have seen enough of his under-23s to promote when a lot of senior players are injured.
“But I still believe you need to have that core of senior players fit and available. Then you can bleed the youngsters in. That’s what helps them perform to a higher level.”
Bate has played twice for Leeds’ senior side this season.
He joined the Yorkshire heavyweights from Chelsea last summer.
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