Lots of Leeds United fans have been ripping into Pablo Hernandez on social media, with the Spaniard dubbed as being ‘finished’ after his ‘lethargic’ performance in Wednesday night’s win at Middlesbrough.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa called upon Hernandez to open the Riverside affair in the centre of his midfield alongside Mateusz Klich and ahead of Ben White, in a decision which would return the assist for the only goal of the game.
Patrick Bamford teed Hernandez up beautifully in the Boro box, though our Spanish wizard’s shot would crash back off the post where Klich latched onto possession and played a neat one-two with the ex-Valencia star to prod home a low shot into the bottom corner.
It was Hernandez’s fifth assist of the Championship season to match with his five goals struck over 26 outings, and ended a ten-game run without the 34-year-old creating a goal having last assisted an effort in our 3-3 draw with Cardiff City on December 14.
How do you rate Hernandez's performance vs Boro?
Positive display
Needs to improve
Lots of supporters were not impressed with Hernandez’s overall performance in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Middlesbrough, though, having witnessed the £19,000-per-week ace misplace 31% of his passes to only find teammates with 39 balls, including two of six long passes.
Hernandez enjoyed 72 touches before being replaced by Jamie Shackleton in the 73rd-minute, in what was Bielsa’s only substitution of the match. The four-time Spain international also took two shots – one on target – alongside one successful dribble (50%) but played no accurate crosses, lost four of six ground duels, lost possession 23 times and was dribbled past twice, per Sofa Score.
Here are some of the messages shared on Hernandez’s display in Wednesday’s win over Middlesbrough…
Passes astray? Lost possession? Pablo understandingly struggles with 2 games in 4 days. This Saturday his contribution needs to be very good.
— John Coleman (@clarkeonenil) February 27, 2020
Pablo is finished #lufc looks like a ghost of his former self
— Daniel Craig Holmes (@DanielCHolmes7) February 26, 2020
Every time Pablo touches the ball it leads to a Boro attack. #lufc
— Mr G Grey (@mrtull1) February 26, 2020
Pablo, bless him, is struggling tonight. Surely time for a sub? #LUFC #MOT #ALAW #leedsunited #Leeds #eflchampionship
— Leeds Faithful (@MaynardM) February 26, 2020
Never been happy to see Pablo subbed before. Wow #lufc
— M W (@mewebb1) February 26, 2020
I absolutely LOVE, Pablo, but I think that’s a needed change taking him off, nothing has gone right for him at all tonight. #lufc
— Jo Bedford 🐾 (@El_Loco_Jo) February 26, 2020
That was a very lethargic performance Shackleton should be starting next game can’t have Pablo playing 3 games a week. A lot of tired legs already is worrying #lufc
— WHITESOLDIER (@whitesoldier62) February 26, 2020
#lufc things i took from last night, main good points: 3 points, another clean sheet, Berardi getting a start, @Cli5hy never stopping all game and getting a well deserved goal, and total grit and determination to keep boro out and get the win. My only concern was Pablo’s passing
— Andy Margrave (@Lufcandy1919) February 27, 2020
Boro never looked dangerous .. issue was Leeds passing was slow, and a lot more long balls than usual .. Boro were fierce in the tackle as well, won a lot of 50/50s .. White also had at least 3 players at a time in his channel because Pablo wasn’t tracking back enough #lufc
— DelGarde (@delmeister1) February 27, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club are closely monitoring a 14-goal midfielder with a view to a summer move.