Emotions run high after a relegation campaign and supporters want blood. Victor Orta, Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Andrea Radrizzani (imminently) have already been culled for their parts in Leeds United’s demise.
Relegation cannot be solely attributed to the dugout and boardroom, though. As some of the players have already admitted on social media, they should carry the can too. Some players have demonstrated they are simply not up to it with the Whites.
Premier League or not, some members of the squad failed to put together campaigns deserving of the Leeds shirt and they will be shown the exit this summer. By its very nature, there are not too many redeeming features in a relegation season.
Very few players can escape with much credit in the bank from the drop. Tyler Adams is one, Rodrigo another, but there have been at least pockets of criticism for everyone else at one point or another in 2022/23.
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Captain Liam Cooper and vice-captain Luke Ayling were not without their own critics last season. The latter initially struggled to overthrow Rasmus Kristensen before taking control of right-back in the winter and then facing difficulties of his own.
Ultimately, neither covered themselves in glory at that position and many fans are now turning to Cody Drameh as the answer moving forward. Cooper, meanwhile, would deal with injuries for much of the season and only started 16 league games in the end.
Any calls for the club to move on from the 31-year-olds should be resisted, even if their contracts are approaching the final 12 months. This pair, as well as a recovering Stuart Dallas, will be critical voices in the dressing room for the incoming head coach.
Based on his two loan spells in the Championship, Drameh seems a sensible bet for consistent minutes at right-back next season. Incidentally, he too is approaching the final 12 months of his contract, but Ayling would still play his part.
Max Wober will also pile the pressure on Cooper for starts on the left side of central defence, but the captain has seemingly welcomed competition for places. Even if you don’t feel Cooper and Ayling should play the lion’s share of next term’s minutes, their off-the-field impact is immense.
These are two of only four players contracted for next season over 30-years-old (and Rodrigo’s expected to depart). Their experience, nous, grit and resilience will be critical in pulling this squad through the dark moments every club faces through the Championship dogfight.
As the new head coach gets their feet under the table, Ayling, Cooper and Dallas are going to be their sounding board, their go-between to the dressing room. These are the lieutenants the next boss will need to make a success of next term.
