Pontus Jansson’s prolonged absence from the Brentford lineup is striking up familiar feelings amongst fans of his former club, Leeds United, citing his failure to step up at Elland Road in the tough moments.
The Bees completed the surprise signing of the Swedish international in the summer following a supposed strained relationship with Marcelo Bielsa, with one of the more notable events coming when he disobeyed team orders to try to thwart Aston Villa’s famous ‘walk-in’ goal last April.
Since then, he has helped boost Thomas Frank’s side towards being automatic promotion contenders as his defensive prowess helped Brentford overtake the Whites as the league’s best defensive side until last night’s 2-1 defeat to Luton Town handed the mantle back to Leeds.
The towering Swede hasn’t played for Brentford since the 3-1 victory over QPR on the 11th January.
Frank issued a positive update on the defender on Monday but it is now nine games where he has been absent and many Leeds fans will be seeing this as a familiar sight as they approach the promotion run-in.
While it might be a coincidence, many had cottoned onto Jansson’s record of picking up ‘injuries’ for Leeds when the going got tough in the more high-pressure fixtures, only to be completely fine for the next clash.
The Bees are struggling without Jansson, with two wins in the last nine games while he has sat out with this injury.
Being such a fan favourite during his time at Elland Road, he is still a hotly-contested topic amongst the fans, with a lot wishing he had never left, especially for a promotion rival.
After the defender was brought up in a Leeds United supporters’ group on Facebook, many fans wanted to weigh in on his lengthy absence and reflect on how important he was to the side…
"Murmurs on a Brentford forum suggested that Jansson had a major fallout with the coaching staff, leading to a prolonged absence from the squad, rather than injury."
David Daykin “Pontus was a first-class player for Leeds, worked his socks off and put 100% in every game!
“He wore the club on his shirt every time he stepped out and gave everything! He was by far the best player last season and that’s Bielsa words, not mine!
“He loves the club and most of the fans loved him and would have him back immediately, he didn’t leave he was forced out.
"Okay, he took the mick a little, he wanted to come back pre-season later than the lads and got punished severely which I can understand, but nevertheless we don’t have the right to slate him, he was probably our best defender since the chief (Lucas Radebe) retired."
Julian Lufc Fitton “Get him signed back up he belongs with us.”
Can you name these Leeds players based off their birthdates and birthplaces?
Brett Callaby: “I would love him back, quality defender. End of.”
Richard Oswald: “I reckon he's still Leeds and has gone there to mess them up.”
Bradley T D Payne: “Who cares, he’s not a Leeds player no more.”
Nigel Brooke: “I’d have him back in an instant.”
Scott Kimberley: “No, send Agent Pontus to Forest for next two months while the Brentford operation settles down.”
Tommy Todger: “The drama queen…”
Billy Brady: “Could be right, a very long injury. They were saying he could be fit for our game but not even in any squad since that game.”
Aaron Corr: “Mr. Bighead, it’s all about ego with Pontus, better off playing for Brentford or not playing in this case.”
Hamish Stewart: “Sounds familiar.”
Allan Thornton: “Let him rot at Brentford. He is history now.”
Mike Ventress: “A quality player, yes, but if he is going disrupt the dressing room, he is a liability. He is history.”
Ian Parkinson: “Come in Agent Jansson, your work is done.”