Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
Helder Costa 'big loser' since Valencia's January signing
Leeds United winger, Helder Costa is on loan at Valencia for the season as the club chose to move him on after they signed Daniel James on the summer transfer deadline day. The Spanish club have an option in the deal to sign Costa permanently, but in recent times it has begun to look less likely that they will activate this option.
After a slow start in Spain, Costa began to make a position his own by November and there were positive signs that Valencia would buy the player. However, in January, they brought in Tottenham winger Bryan Gil on loan and Super Deporte have called Costa the 'big loser' in the deal as he is now struggling to get back into the starting XI and only playing in short substitute appearances. This now casts doubt on the idea that Leeds will be able to sell the former Wolves winger to Valencia.
Ex-Leeds United goalkeeper defends players for 'reacting' on social media
After picking up the hamstring injury which ruled him out until the end of the season, Tyler Roberts took to social media to send a message to fans, where he also addressed some abuse that he had been getting from a portion of the fan base.
Former Leeds United player, Paul Robinson has defended Roberts for reacting, stating that all the public criticism makes it difficult not to respond:
"It’s very difficult not to [react]. I don’t have any social media outlets because I wouldn’t want to open myself up for that criticism. When you are on a social media platform, it’s something that unfortunately goes with the territory.
"Everyone has an opinion on how you played and some people will take great pride in letting you know how they think you played."
Norwich team news ahead of relegation six-pointer
Dean Smith has given his team news ahead of Leeds' crucial match against his Norwich City side on Sunday.
Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah are the only long-term injury absentees with back and knee issues whilst former Leeds defender Sam Byram will be assessed ahead of the game.
Smith has also claimed his side have got to be 'harder' to beat ahead of this weekend's crunch clash at Elland Road.
Smith told Norfolk Live: "I just made a couple of changes and changed the system (at half-time).
"I wanted to get to half-time without conceding any more because I knew we had to change the system but with the personnel we had on the pitch at that time it was going to be difficult without bringing somebody off in the first-half. I didn’t want to do that.
"Second-half, we played how we want to play, how our players, supporters and how I want them to play.
"Being hard to beat but also being on the front foot and getting into people’s faces. Making tackles and sticking them on their backside sometimes. First-half we didn’t do that."
