Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes has played down claims that Leeds United dominated and were in complete control during their 2-1 win at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
Grimes was back at Leeds after struggling during a loan spell there during the 2016/17 season when Garry Monk was manager. He didn’t get the best opportunity to prove that he’s improved and moved on since then as he was moved out of his favoured deep midfield position and had to cover at left-back following Declan John’s ankle injury.
Talking about the 2-1 defeat, Grimes commented:
“In the first half we were just happy to let them have the ball at the back and then when they tried to play through us we pressed them.
“I thought we limited them to very few chances. I think the goals, I don’t quite remember them, but I know feeling like we weren’t under pressure.
“It’s not like they were having wave and wave of attacks. But you get sucker-punched with one or two goals and away from home it’s always going to be difficult to come back into it, especially at a place like this.”
I must say, I can’t share his views here. I felt that the 2-1 scoreline suggests that it was a tight game but it was anything but. In fact, the scoreline flattered us as Leeds should have done more with their possession and chances.
Oli McBurnie scored an 87th-minute consolation goal from the penalty spot but we never really looked like troubling the host’s goalkeeper during the 90 minutes.
One Leeds fan didn’t hold back in his reaction to Grimes’ comments above and said:
“I wasn’t watching, and thinking “for what a shame we let you go”! In fact the opposite. Glad you are playing for Swansea, so we don’t have to watch you anymore at Leeds.
As for last night’s game….. you are deluded mate. You got hammered and the only thing wrong was the score line, which should have been about 5-1 to Leeds – and that’s not including the penalty we SHOULD have been given following you ‘captain’s’ drag down of Bamford in the box. “
Another shared a similar view:
“Stole a wage off Leeds for a season. Would make my all time worst Leeds 11 which takes some doing. Delusional comments about last nights game.”
I’ve got to stick up for Grimes here who I think has been excellent for us this season especially since the turn of the year, playing a key role in our improved run of form. He has often been our main man with most of our attacking movement starting with Grimes in our own half.
It’s good to see him finally looking like a useful player for us after his £2m move from Exeter City four years ago.
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