Former Leeds United shot stopper Paul Robinson has called out Dan James' red card tackle on Mateo Kovacic as "indefensible".
The Welsh winger was sent off in the first half of the White's dismal 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Elland Road, which was Leeds' second red card in as many games.
The tackle was needlessly reckless and dangerous with Kovacic substituted six minutes after James' challenge.
It summed up the Whites performances of late - ill-disciplined and thoughtless. Leeds were already 1-0 down at home in a game they needed something from. As things stand, Jesse Marsch's side sit inside the relegation zone, level on points with Burnley but with a worse goal difference.
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The Clarets and Everton, who sit two points above both sides, now have games in hand on Leeds, meaning they will almost certainly have to win one of their remaining games against either Brighton or Brentford.
And Robinson believes James' recklessness was "indefensible" give their current league position.
“Dan James had no reason to make such a strong challenge in that area of the pitch," Robinson said on BBC Radio 5Live. "It’s a terrible looking challenge. There’s no need to make that tackle. You have to keep your emotions in check. It’s indefensible.”
James will now miss the remainder of Leeds' Premier League campaign alongside Luke Ayling, who was sent off at the weekend against Arsenal in similar fashion.
Additionally, both Raphinha and Jack Harrison were substituted with injury concerns against Chelsea, leaving plenty of headache decisions for Marsch ahead of Brighton's visit to Elland Road on Sunday.
