Leeds United missed a golden opportunity to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, suffering a giantkilling at the hands of non-league Sutton United.
A Jamie Collins penalty proved the difference, meaning Sutton join fellow National League side Lincoln City in the last 16 of the competition.
Normally, one might think supporters of the Championship high-flyers might be angry with manager Garry Monk for naming a weakened side for the clash, and there was a little bit of that.
But many are looking at the bigger picture, namely that there are just a couple of days left in the transfer window for the Whites to add reinforcements for their promotion push.
If I were Monk I'd be exceptionally annoyed I had to pick this side. He'll have known that there's big parts that aren't good enough.
— Amitai Winehouse (@awinehouse1) January 29, 2017
Leeds currently sit fourth in the Championship table, seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places and the same number ahead of Barnsley, who sit just outside the play-off spots.
However, while things may be looking rosy right now, there is a sense that there could be trouble ahead if just a couple of first-team regulars are lost to injury.
That seemed to be the view of Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay, and it’s something upon which a number of Leeds supporters agree.
Hard not to feel that Monk was making a point about the depth of his squad with that line-up. Didn't create a chance in the second half.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/BenIrwin91/status/825735023793995776
Masterstroke from Monk to show the squad just isn't strong enough. Might actually sign someone before the deadline now…. #lufc
— Lliam Brocksom (@lliambrocksom) January 29, 2017
WHO THINKS MONK DELIBERATELY PICKED THAT TEAM TO SHOW OUR MONEY MEN HOW THIN OUR SQUAD IS?
NO SIGNINGS AS USUAL IN JANUARY!— dave lufc (@ShipleyWhites) January 29, 2017
Maybe Monk sending a message to those blokes who don't like spending ££ at the helm.
We need more depth in this squad.— J-MO (@J_MO80) January 29, 2017
Still, while some had sympathy with Monk for showing the club’s higher-ups what they need to do, others believed there may be better ways to make that point.
Those fans should be reimbursed for that. That's either Monk saying 'look at my squad depth' or the board saying focus on the league. #lufc
— Dave Deane (@Dave_Deane21) January 29, 2017
Saying that, fans that've forked out and travelled to see our U23's play like that deserve a refund.
— Jamie 🌹 (@jamieTwilkinson) January 29, 2017
Suggestion of Monk "Making a point" about squad. If true then I can't forgive that, you don't humiliate the club to make a point. #lufc
— Jamie (@jhealey89) January 29, 2017
