Paul Heckingbottom ruled Pontus Jansson out of contention for our game tonight in his press conference yesterday.
The Swedish defender has not been at the races much this season but, to be fair to him, few have in the squad this campaign.
Even so, on form he is still one of our better players and we’d surely much rather have him in the side than not as the injuries continue to pile up.
Clearly, this season was never meant to be when you look at all that has gone wrong and so let’s take a look at the reaction to the news on Twitter:
Injury latest ahead of Villa – none of the absent crop likely to return tomorrow. Jansson expected to miss out but should be back for the Barnsley game. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) April 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/JtotheRain/status/984400564216836096
— Simon Brown (@SimonBrown92) April 12, 2018
Ask Heck whether he plans to play Anita at centre back 😀. Would be no more bizarre than playing him at LB ahead of Alioski or Pearce.
— Bully (@BullMick) April 12, 2018
May as well play an 11 made up of people from the Leeds supporters clubs. Nobody cares. Probably get a performance…
— Adam (@adam_culkin) April 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/MUZZA2017/status/984401373788749825
Sees the fans have caught on to him so misses Friday
— d282k⚽🏁🥇 (@davidkerr2821) April 12, 2018
Real injury or just trying not to embarrass himself?
— We Are Leeds (@WeAreLeeds1919) April 12, 2018
Heckingbottom said the protocol surrounding head injuries will stop Jansson playing, even if he felt he was fit.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) April 12, 2018
The Verdict
Well, it’s a blow but it’s not the blow it would have been last year.
We’ve nothing to play for and Pontus has hardly been brilliant this season.
I say give one of the kids a chance tomorrow, then, someone like Paudie O’Connor who looks like a decent prospect.