Leeds United took on Manchester United in a hotly anticipated game on the opening weekend of the Premier League. The 5-1 loss was the worst way possible for Leeds to start the season, but their fans took issue with some of Joe Cole's pre match comments.
Former Chelsea midfielder Cole was a pundit alongside Rio Ferdinand for the clash at Old Trafford on Saturday, and one of his pre-match notes did not go down at all well with Leeds fans.
Leeds fans furious with Joe Cole's fitness comments
Since their return to the top flight last season, Leeds have drawn praise from many corners for their high energy, high tempo style of play, though some pundits have questioned the impact that their style of play has on their fitness levels.
Joe Cole added to that chorus of voices on Saturday morning, when he questioned how Leeds would deal with the potential impact of Man United's bench late in teh game.
When asked about the impact Jadon Sancho could have as a substitute for Man United, Cole said:
Do you think this game is set up for him? The way Leeds play, they tend to die after 60-70 minutes. The last thing they're gonna want to see is this place erupting with Jadon Sancho stepping on with twenty minutes to go.
Please - FOR THE LOVE OF GOD - not this shit again this season 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/9MGkZOUjgr
— Tommo (@LUFC1992_v2) August 14, 2021
It seemed like a throwaway comment, but Leeds fans were quick to criticise Cole's comments.
BT Sport's pundits have received criticism in the past for a lack of preparedness on teams outside of the big six, and many of the replies to the video above centred in on Cole's apparent lack of knowledge of how Leeds play.
If Leeds United “die after 70 minutes”, when does the rest of the league die? #LUFC pic.twitter.com/XXJO1Ep7ce
— 💛💙 UnitedWhite LUFC (@UnitedWhite) August 14, 2021
Die????????? Hahahahahahahaha every other team dies Leeds still throwing 5 men forward whilst other teams blow out of their arse.... City vs Leeds Dallas breeZed stones.... Newcastle 5 players ahead of their whole team useless punditry
— lufc beefy (@martinF06238276) August 14, 2021
I think let them think this will happen, they will get a nasty shock when they see Leeds running out them in the 90th minute trying to score 😂
— neil walton (@neilwal61680136) August 14, 2021
Has he ever watched us play a single game?
— Luke Corcoran (@lukecorcoran) August 14, 2021
In the words of Eamon Dunphy, "Where's the evidence for that!?" https://t.co/iCxQ59inkR
— Mark Farrelly (@MarkFarrelly131) August 14, 2021
Do most pundits even watch games outside the 'big 6'? https://t.co/mPzl1LxxQi
— Joey Walker (@j_walker4) August 14, 2021
When have Leeds died after 60 minutes ffs same shit different season https://t.co/LC8cbkAiI0
— Callum Mooney (@callummoondog) August 14, 2021
The comments seem quite harsh against Leeds, who have a reputation for running until the death. The game against Man City at the Etihad last season was a prime example, when Stuart Dallas managed to finish off a 2-1 win in injury time against a team commended for their fitness levels.
On Saturday afternoon, Leeds ended up on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline, though they still proved Joe Cole wrong by keeping a clean sheet in the final 20 minutes.
It will be interesting to see how the narrative about Marcelo Bielsa's team goes this year, but it's safe to say Joe Cole has made no new friends in Leeds with his comments.
SEE ALSO: Gary Neville Tears Into 'Soft' Arsenal After Shock Opening Defeat
