Jon Newsome has told BBC Radio Leeds that Tyler Adams was everything you would want from a player in Leeds United’s defeat to Everton on Saturday.
The Whites are now in the relegation zone. And it is currently hard to see Leeds getting themselves out of danger. Of course, we are still awaiting the first victory since early November.
The first two displays under Michael Skubala led to some cautious optimism. However, any of that positivity has disappeared completely after the trip to Goodison Park.
Tyler Adams praised despite Leeds defeat
Leeds were beaten and outfought by an Everton side who also lacked any significant quality. It was an awful performance on a day when all of the bottom three secured victories.
It is hard to take any positives from the game. But Newsome suggested that the performance of the USMNT captain in the middle of the park was someone to cling to after a miserable afternoon for the Whites.
“Absolutely. I said it earlier, I thought he was everything you want in a player today,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “He was busy, he was industrious, he got around the pitch, he put his foot in. He got kicked, he picked himself up, he went again.
“There weren’t many who did that with him. I think Luke Ayling had an okay game. Robin Koch had an okay game. But from there on in, I’m scratching my head a little bit.”
Adams has been one of the few shining lights of this season for Leeds. He has been a brilliant signing. And he is one of the players who will probably be first out of the door should we go down.
Adams’ consistency has been hugely important. And it is encouraging to see that he is still playing well even after Jesse Marsch left Elland Road. Some may have been worried that his form would dip after the manager’s sacking.
But he has done well, and there is clearly something to build upon in that midfield. He has done well alongside both Marc Roca and Weston McKennie.
However, Leeds have major problems to address. And if they do not turn things around soon, it may well be that Adams’ stay at Elland Road is going to be a very brief one.