Neil Aspin reacts to Ben White’s display in Leeds defeat

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Leeds United hero Neil Aspin has told BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 21/12; 17:15) that the Whites’ defeat to Fulham was a good learning experience for Ben White after the defender seemed to struggle. 

White’s last couple of performances have prompted questions about his form for the very first time since he arrived at Elland Road on loan in the summer. He has been a revelation for so much of his spell with Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

But it is probably fair to say that he did not have the best afternoon at Craven Cottage. He was desperately unlucky to be penalised for a foul on Bobby Reid inside the penalty area during the early stages of the 2-1 loss. He did put his hands on Reid, but there looked to be almost no contact and certainly not enough to send him down.

And it appeared that the 22-year-old did struggle in his battle with Aleksandar Mitrovic. Aspin insisted that he is a huge fan of the Brighton loanee, but suggested that he did not have his best afternoon against Scott Parker’s side.

“Ben White is a modern centre-half and he’s got all the tools,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “When you watch the Premier League and you watch how they play, there’s very little physical contact and it’s all about being able to play and have pace and read the game and intercept.

‘Learning experience’

“It was a different proposition for him today. Mitrovic is a bit more old school in the fact that he backs in. We’ve seen when he gave a free-kick away, he’ll put his arm across you, he’ll give you that physical challenge. Ben White, he’s been praised and I think he’s a fantastic player at what he does. But this today is a good learning experience for him.”

It would be unfair to be too critical of White. Signing him has been a masterstroke, and he was arguably one of the last players in Bielsa’s squad to have an off day.

It must also be noted that Mitrovic is one of the best players in the Championship. He has scored 17 goals this season. That would already be enough to finish as Leeds’s top goalscorer in four of the last five campaigns.

White has the quality to bounce back. And with games against Preston North End and West Brom ahead in the next couple of weeks, Leeds certainly need the youngster to rediscover his very best form once again.