Noel Whelan slams Marcelo Bielsa decision after Leeds defeat

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Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 1/2; 17:00) that he cannot understand why Marcelo Bielsa did not name Jean-Kevin Augustin in Leeds United’s squad for their clash with Wigan on Saturday.

Augustin joined the club on loan on Monday. It was little surprise that he was not involved in Tuesday’s win against Millwall.

And it would have taken few fans by surprise when Patrick Bamford kept his place in the starting lineup for the latest game with the Englishman scoring twice in midweek.

But what did seem to shock many was that Augustin was left out of the matchday squad entirely. And the decision did not seem to pay off.

Leeds have, once again, thrown away top spot in the Championship. The Whites fell to a 1-0 defeat against the struggling Latics.

It was a familiar story for the home side at Elland Road. According to Whoscored, Leeds had 18 attempts on goal, while the visitors had just five.

Bamford had seven of those efforts on goal, four more than any other player on the pitch.

Tyler Roberts was brought off the bench during the second-half. But it did not make a difference and Wigan were able to see the game out.

And Whelan insisted after the loss that it made absolutely no sense to not include Augustin on the bench.

“My big one is Augustin,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “Why? Why did you think you didn’t need your new signing in a game like this. As soon as you bring him in the club, you need him. That’s why you brought him in, simple as. Don’t tell me if Nketiah was still here, he wouldn’t be sitting on that bench.”

It did appear to be a brave call to not pick Augustin, particularly as no other striker was named on the bench ahead of him.

Roberts can play up front, of course. But bringing Augustin on during the latter stages would have given the side the boost they needed as defeat loomed.

Plenty of fans will now be desperate to see Augustin get his chance when Leeds face Nottingham Forest next weekend.

And following Bamford’s display against Wigan, many will now be hoping the Frenchman comes straight into the starting lineup.