Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan was infuriated that the Whites do not have a back-up striker at the club which poses a “huge problem” for the rest of the season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side found themselves largely frustrated to break down Cardiff City’s defence on Saturday as they stuttered to a 2-0 defeat in South Wales, despite dominating the game, statistically.
Patrick Bamford struggled in front of goal and came under intense scrutiny from the Elland Road faithful. With Pablo Hernandez and Jean-Kevin Augustin out injured, it meant that there was no second-choice striker on the bench for Leeds.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan was not happy with the current situation and did not mince his words.
Do Leeds need a back-up striker?
Yes
No
“It is a huge problem,” he said. “A huge problem!
“I do not know any Championship side this weekend that did not have a striker on their bench. This is a joke, quite frankly.
“A team that is level on points, top of the league, only has one striker to choose from and no options on the bench.
“I cannot think of any side that has no replacement striker. That is poor for a club like Leeds United.”
Whelan added that he cannot recall a time that Leeds had just one frontman for the entire campaign and believes that teams outside the Playoffs have better back-up options than the Whites do.
Bielsa has been unlucky and his hand was forced due to Augustin’s reoccurring hamstring injury. But as Whelan said, it is staggering that the Argentinian tactician resisted the temptation to dip into the transfer market.
Time will tell as to whether this will have any serious implications on the club’s chances of promotion. If this is achieved, it is an area that needs to be seriously addressed.