Liam Cooper has left me pretty flabbergasted to be honest after his latest set of comments in our final pre-match press conference of the season.
The skipper has not had a good campaign – much like many of his team-mates – and, if we’re honest, as a captain he has sometimes not always excelled.
You can tell his heart is in the right place but, when he says things, they just don’t seem to have any conviction which, for a skipper of our club, is not good at all.
What he’s said via Phil Hay on Twitter today is scarcely believable too:
Liam Cooper speaking now: says the Millwall defeat in September hit the players hard and they haven't ever truly recovered from that. On Heckingbottom, described him as a "very good coach". #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) May 4, 2018
There’s certainly been some reaction to this, too, so let’s take a lot of what some of our fans have had to say:
Goodness me. Are they that weak as a collective? If only the captain had stepped in and dragged them throu that defeat.
— Simon O'Rourke (@simon_orourke) May 4, 2018
We changed tactically.
— Dr.T (@DoctorT1992) May 4, 2018
Haven’t got over a 1-0 defeat by now, what are they, men or little girls?
— Rich (@southeastlower) May 4, 2018
"He is a good coach" but we haven't got over something that happened HALF A YEAR AGO!!! ????????????????????????????
— Andy Waugh (@csameoldsameold) May 4, 2018
Seriously how can you not recover from a defeat in September call yourself professional footballers but try being a supporter & paying to watch it @LiamCooper__ #LUFC
— Helen Walker (@hellsbelles92) May 4, 2018
Imagine 18-19, a 50% loss head coach and club captains that get sent off 5 times a season, what a time to be a #lufc fan…
— MG (@AnybodybutLeeds) May 4, 2018
Sorry, but that’s utterly pathetic. How mentally weak are they to be affected that badly by 1 defeat?
— MJ (@elland_toad) May 4, 2018
That's a terrible mentality if one loss early in the season can damage you that much
— JT (@lufc_) May 4, 2018
The Verdict
What can you say about this?
Fair enough, some losses can hurt more than most and I’d get it if we were reeling from that particular game for more than a match – just about.
But over half a year? Come on, Liam, you’re not kidding anyone here.
This is poor.
To discuss all things Leeds United in more detail, join us in the Vital Leeds forum.