Adam Forshaw has rubbished rumours of a rift between Leeds United duo Luke Ayling and Marc Roca during a chat with Leeds Live – after suggestions appeared on social media that the two had fallen out at half-time against Palace.
Around about the 40th minute in the home game against Palace, things looked good. Leeds had come into it after wins over Forest, Southampton and Wolves. Patrick Bamford had headed home an opener, and Leeds were comfy.
But a late equaliser before the break and things have spiralled south since. That game ended in a bizarre 5-1 defeat, the first of five losses in the last six games – drawing to Leicester when Patrick Bamford really should have scored.
Sam Allardyce has come in and Leeds need at least four points from the last three games, against Newcastle, West Ham and Spurs. Rumours emerged after the Palace loss of a rift between Ayling and Roca, Forshaw commented.
“That’s absolute rubbish. I’m close enough with Bill, been here a long time together. We get on really well. I was actually out warming up and then that night I’d had a load of messages saying ‘What went on? Was there a fight?’
“I spoke to him (Ayling) straight away and he said it was absolute rubbish,” Forshaw continued. “I sit next to Marc in the changing rooms and his name was mentioned in an interview. There’s nothing that went on at all.”
Forshaw rubbishes rumours of rift between Leeds duo Ayling and Roca
Even if there had been, which Forshaw denies, isn’t it a good thing? A bit of passion behind the scenes? Leeds have lacked fight in their last few matches and certainly under Javi Gracia. That was restored at the Etihad against City.
A narrow 2-1 loss, in which Forshaw, Ayling and Roca all started. These Leeds players need to be fighting, they need to have the bit between their teeth. If it spills over behind the scenes then so be it. A win, please, on Saturday.
