Some Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after Luke Ayling was lauded as one of the Championship’s best performing players for December.
Ayling represented the club in each of our final league fixtures of 2019, and was awarded the captain’s armband by manager Marcelo Bielsa during wins over Huddersfield Town, Hull City and the 3-3 draw with Cardiff.
Those three matches were the last instances of Ayling leading the team out of the tunnel in the Championship, after captaining the club in five prior second-tier fixtures this term on the back of recovering from a knock suffered in pre-season.
The blow kept the £2.25million-rated right-back out of action until October 1 when he featured off the bench against West Bromwich Albion, and has not missed a starting line-up since recovering from the surgery.
Ayling also featured for 78 minutes against Arsenal in the FA Cup on Monday night, to bring his appearance tally for the term to 18 in all competitions.
Was Ayling your Player of the Month for December?
Yes
No
London-born Ayling’s December has now been lauded following his nomination for the Championship’s Player of the Month award, having scored his first goal of the term and assisted a further two strikes.
The 28-year-old also won four tackles against Hull and Cardiff, recorded two interceptions against the Bluebirds and Birmingham, made two clearances against Fulham and the Blues, and was successful with three dribbles against the Cottagers and Preston North End, per WhoScored data.
Ayling has been nominated for the league’s Player of the Month award alongside Swansea’s Andre Ayew, Cardiff’s Lee Tomlin, Sheffield Wednesday’s Tom Lees, West Brom’s Sam Johnstone and Millwall’s Jed Wallace.
Here are some of the messages shared from fans reacting to Ayling’s nomination…
Needs to quicken up on his throw ins. He gives the opposition far too much time to organise. We do that with free kicks and corners sometimes too and is possibly why we don’t get much from set pieces.
— Peter (@notmany4benny) January 8, 2020
Doesn’t even come close to Dallas or harrison! #MOT
— King Pablo 👌🏼💙 #MOT (@PabloH1919) January 8, 2020
Always gives 100%, voted
— Nicola💙💛 (@nic1000) January 7, 2020
I love how he pushes forward with his head high looking for that instant counter, always thought ayling is a top player.
— christo (@ctrlitt) January 7, 2020
dallas all day long
— scotty782lufc (@scotty782lufc) January 7, 2020
Well deserved been fantastic – hope he isn’t injured from last night
— Ron (@ronaallleeds) January 7, 2020
Gonna win by about 70% like every Leeds player does 😂
— Gabriel (@bethgabriel_) January 7, 2020
Congratulations on winning December’s @PFA championship player of the month @lukeayling_8
— Riggs🧙♂️ (@Rigginsx33) January 7, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club are reportedly set to beat Premier League competition to a 6 ft 3 signing.