Noel Whelan has taken aim at Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson, saying the Swede is the first to take the adulation when the Whites are winning, but the first down the tunnel when they have lost. 

Jansson became a firm favourite with the Leeds fans last term during his loan from Torino, helping the Whites, then under Garry Monk, to a finish of seventh in the Championship.




But he has struggled to produce commanding performances this season and has been criticised for not stepping up to the mark to lead Leeds through a tough spell, with the Whites now having lost four of their last five league games.

Whelan agrees with the view that Jansson has lost his way.
 


And he criticised the Swede's actions, being all too keen to get down the tunnel quickly when Leeds have had a difficult afternoon, something he knows the fans have noticed.

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"Yes, I agree with that", Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds, when asked about Jansson losing his way.

"First one to soilder round the field and take in all the adulation from the fans and give it the big'un.

"But when the chips are down he's the first one through the tunnel.

"You've got to take the rough with the smooth.

"They [fans] do notice it.

"You cannot hide out there on the field.

"They are all fans, they know football, they know players, they know characters, they know when people need to dig in and who you want to be in the trench with when push comes to shove."

Leeds made Jansson's loan move from Torino permanent in the summer transfer window, but the Swede has a different central defensive partner this season in Liam Cooper after Kyle Bartley returned to Swansea City after his loan stint at Elland Road.