Leeds United will be desperate to get back into action after their recent victory over Southampton but now face a completely different test as the pressure is lifted as they enter the FA Cup once again.
Travelling to face a formidable Fulham side buoyed by a determined Marco Silva, it represents a stern task for the Whites to overcome an outfit that has lost just twice in all competitions since early November.
Although they did battle to an all-important result against the Saints, it was a nervy affair in which both sides were clearly petrified at the prospect of losing. This made for a scrappy match where little quality shone through, despite there being some admirable performers.
There was however one standout for all the wrong reasons, and as Brenden Aaronson was handed yet another opportunity to shine, he squandered it. As such, his place in the starting side could be under intense threat.
Will Aaronson play against Fulham in the FA Cup?
Few put in bad performances in the win, but the American midfielder was the only one of those who started to receive a Sofascore rating of under 6.0 (5.9).
Whilst it marked yet another game without a goal contribution for the 22-year-old, whose last and only goal of the season came in just game week three, it was also marred by a distinct lack of work rate too.
He would win just four of the 16 duels he competed in, with his only defensive action before his 76th-minute substitution being a sole tackle, via Sofascore.
It was another anonymous display from a man that commanded such a large fee in the summer, which comes just a week after his cameo against Everton had drawn scorn from BBC pundit Joe Newsome. He had claimed: “I feel he’s very lightweight. There were a couple of occasions when the ball was there to be won and he actually jumped out of the way. That, for me, is really disappointing.”
He would then go on to question his desire to battle given his £45k-per-week wage, as he continued: “You’re getting paid good money, mate. And you’re supposed to leave everything out there.”
Aaronson has been handed plenty of chances, but his failure to deliver on Gracia’s big day nearly cost him. He cannot afford to allow him to fail again, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
