Qudus SalihuIn the wake of a heart-wrenching 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park, the Leeds United faithful have directed their fury toward central defender Pascal Struijk. Despite the match being hailed as a Premier League classic, the nature of the loss—conceding a 102nd-minute winner to Harvey Barnes after leading three times—has left supporters searching for a scapegoat, with Struijk firmly in the crosshairs.
Social media has been flooded with “damning” assessments of the Dutchman’s performance, with fans calling him out for perceived lapses in concentration and physical frailty during the game’s chaotic final stages. While Leeds showed immense attacking intent through Brenden Aaronson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the defensive unit struggled to contain Newcastle’s relentless pressure. Supporters have been particularly vocal about Struijk being “outmuscled” and “positionally suspect” during the sequence that led to Barnes’ decisive strike.
The outcry has intensified due to the presence of £18 million summer signing Jaka Bijol on the bench. A growing section of the fanbase is now demanding that manager Daniel Farke makes a definitive change, with many calling for Struijk to be axed in favor of the Slovenian international. “Struijk has been a great servant, but at this level, you can’t switch off in the 100th minute,” one prominent fan account posted, echoing a sentiment that has gained massive traction. “Bijol didn’t come here to watch us throw away points from the sidelines.”
The atmosphere is further complicated by the complicated relationship between the fans and the squad. While players like Aaronson have recently redeemed themselves, the “dogs abuse” currently being leveled at Struijk suggests he has become the focal point for the frustration of a fanbase that feels their side deserved more from the Tyneside thriller.
Farke now faces a selection headache ahead of the next fixture. While he has historically remained loyal to his core group, the sheer volume of criticism directed at Struijk—combined with the high-profile alternative waiting in the wings—means the pressure to bench the defender has reached a breaking point. For Struijk, the walk off the St James’ Park pitch may have been his most difficult yet, as he remains the primary target for a support that refuses to accept anything less than defensive perfection.
Qudus Salihu
Mustapha Sheidu
Rabiu Aminu
