Former Premier League defender Martin Keown has taken aim at the Leeds United fans following the defeat against Aston Villa.
The atmosphere at Elland Road threatened to turn against Daniel Farke and his Leeds side during and after the defeat against Aston Villa.
Fans angrily chanted for Farke to make a substitution midway through the second half as Leeds visibly tired and Villa turned the screw.
The Leeds crowd aimed more chants at Farke at full-time as they vented their frustration at Leeds’ latest Premier League defeat.
Now, Keown has criticised the Leeds fans turning on their own players and manager, as he highlighted the songs aimed at Brenden Aaronson in particular.
Which position do Leeds United need to strengthen most in January?
Martin Keown criticises Leeds United fans for Brenden Aaronson chants
Farke spoke to defend Aaronson at full-time of Leeds’ latest defeat after the Leeds crowd chanted for Dan James and Willy Gnonto to be introduced during the second half.
Speaking to TalkSport on 24th November, Keown urged the Leeds fans to pack in their chants, arguing that Dan James did not receive the same level of criticism as Aaronson, despite failing to find an equaliser for Leeds after coming on.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Keown said: “Leeds fans now, if that’s your son, out on that pitch, really, pack it in and get behind your team. I think it’s ridiculous.”
He added: “You could say Dan James, he had two or three poor moments in the game when he came on.
“He blazed one over the bar, a not-so-good cross from him, but he’s not getting the same level of criticism as Aaronson is getting.
“So I think the fans need to look at themselves a little bit. They’re very demanding.”
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Leeds United fans have a right to voice their opinion
Although Keown is within his rights to defend Aaronson, his criticism of the Leeds fans misses the intent of the chants that rang around Elland Road during the defeat against Villa.
Farke is perceived as reactive by a large section of the Leeds crowd, and this proved to be the case against Villa.
Unai Emery’s double change at half-time gave his side an immediate path back into the game, as did Sean Dyche’s changes for Nottingham Forest the week before.
Unai Emery said Leeds looked tired:
“We started the match poorly, we didn’t get the rhythm we wanted. We didn’t play to our game plan. In the second half, I think they were getting tired. This win is close. But how we showed our mentality.”
The “Make a sub” chant was not specifically aimed at Aaronson. It was a general critique of Farke’s decision to wait until the 70th minute to introduce fresh legs, despite Villa beginning to dominate the game.
Fans are emotional by nature, and the Leeds crowd could sense another game slipping away from their side. They are right to demand that their manager change his side if his plan is not working. This was a criticism of Farke, not a personal attack against Aaronson.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
