Popular Leeds United-focused journalist Beren Cross, who works for Leeds Live, has slammed Pascal Struijk for his part in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ goal on Saturday.
Although Jesse Marsch’s Whites kicked off their 2022-23 season with a commendable win against Bruno Lage’s Wolves, concerns were raised following a poor defensive showing from Struijk.
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Opposition winger Daniel Podence opened the game’s scoring inside the first 10-minutes, and although the Whites fought back valiantly to win the game 2-1 and take all three points, Cross was not impressed by the Whites’ number 21.
“Has to be held accountable for leaving Hwang Hee-Chan to nod the cross down for Daniel Podence to open the scoring,” the Leeds Live journalist said after the game.
“Got caught on the turn a few times down his flank.”
He’s a central defender playing out of position. Won headers that probably meant we won
Struijk played out of position, didn’t have his best game, James is a good winger but bloody awful striker, Struijk is a very good centre half, not a very good left back, horses for courses, but don’t give the guy a hard time for trying to help the team out, he gave his best BUT he is not a left back !!
The first mistake is llorente charging forward and being next to our CAM. If he doesn’t try controll the ball and take a horrible touch wolves dont get possession. He is miles out of position. Also as much as I like our tank at RB is he doesn’t need to try win the ball, he tries to win the ball gets beaten far too easy and allows a quality player to cross the ball in a dangerous area. Kotch come across to cover the space left then Struijk has to come across as well. Blaming Struijk is madness !!
Struijk not at fault here – he is high up the pitch and it’s not his job to pick up the centre forward Hwang. Adams is back in to cover for Llorente and he is the closest player who should pick up Hwang. Struijk was sprinting back from the left wing as he was tasked with getting forward when we attack, he can’t be two places at once. I thought he had a good game.
Thanks for the perspective guys, couldn’t have put it better myself! Imagine if he’d said “I won’t play there”!!
Give the team a break, we won
Struijk was poor, has to be said. But he was played out of position. Koch on the other hand isn’t up to Premier League standard and should be replaced by Struijk in the centre of defence and alongside Cooper they are our best options. Wasn’t convinced by Adams, was a bit of a headless chicken at times BUT showed enough alongside Roca to give me hope. Would prefer them to look for another CB as well as a LB and striker.