Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has claimed that this season is ‘make or break’ for Whites left-back Barry Douglas according to an interview with Football Insider.
During his previous spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Douglas was impressive but he has failed to reach those heights so far in his time at Elland Road.
Douglas was widely hailed as an outstanding signing when he arrived from Wolves for£3million in the summer of 2018 after playing a key role in their promotion campaign however he has now fell behind Ezgjan Alioski who has converted from a winger to a left-back and displaced Douglas from the team.
“Barry Douglas is running out of time at Leeds,” Whelan said. “This season is make or break for him. We haven’t seen the best of him in a Leeds shirt, he will be the first to admit that.”
“I’m surprised and disappointed in him. I thought he was fantastic at Wolves two seasons ago in their promotion campaign, and I expected him to be a big player for Leeds.”
“It’s not the Barry Douglas we thought we were getting. Yes, there have been injuries along the way, but the fans and myself were expecting more. We know he is a great full-back but we haven’t seen the player who was so good for Wolves.”
Douglas has only made three Championship starts for Leeds so far this season and will be looking to improve his form and force his way back into Marco Bielsa’s starting eleven.
He featured in the Whites’ Under 23’s match yesterday giving the indication that he will start tonight’s game against West Bromwich Albion on the bench.