'Eat humble pie' - Jeff Stelling shoots down Sky pundit over 'wrong' Leeds United comments

Sky Sports host Jeff Stelling has launched an impassioned defence of Leeds United after Kris Boyd accused Marcelo Bielsa’s men of being overrated.
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The former Scotland striker made his comments earlier in the campaign, suggesting that the Whites got too much praise compared to some of their Premier League rivals.

Since then, however, Bielsa’s side have put together a fine run of form, losing just one of their final 11 top flight matches this season.

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That purple patch culminated in a 3-1 win over West Brom at Elland Road on Sunday – a result that allowed Leeds to secure a ninth-placed finish – and speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special prior to that victory, Stelling gave Boyd a chance to amend his previous comments.

He said: “Would you like to tell Leeds fans that you were wrong in your judgement?”

Boyd responded: “No, I’m not wrong, and I will never ever admit that I was wrong.

"They lost 4-3 at Anfield and got praised. Burnley, Fulham, and Brighton went to Anfield and won, but Leeds get more praise because they scored three goals.”

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Stelling fired back: “It’s about the timing. Those three clubs went there when Liverpool were on a miserable run.

"Leeds have won their last three [now four] Premier League games, they’ve scored nine goals [now 12].

"There’s been no second half fade out at all – I really think it’s time to eat some humble pie and tell these Leeds fans that they’ve had an absolutely brilliant season.

"They should be proud of their team.”

Again, however, Boyd stuck to his guns, replying: “I’m never going to admit I was wrong.

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"If they finish above ninth, then I might come back, but at this moment in time – no.”

Rodrigo, Kalvin Phillips, and Patrick Bamford were all on the score sheet for Leeds on Sunday afternoon in an emotional display at Elland Road.

Not only did the Whites finally get to welcome fans back to the ground for the first time this season, but the match also gave supporters an opportunity to say goodbye to veteran talents Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi, both of whom will be leaving the club this summer.