Former Leeds United player Noel Whelan has called on Pontus Jansson to stand up and be counted when things aren't going well for Leeds.

Sweden international Jansson is a popular figure among Whites fans and is regularly seen interacting and cheering with fans after a victory.

However, Jansson was stretchered off in the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and also went off at Millwall to leave Leeds with ten men when they were a goal down.

In fairness to the centre-back, he quite clearly was injured on Sunday after a nasty collision with Kalvin Phillips and has had to withdraw from the Sweden squad this week.

Yet, Whelan, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after their defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, wants more from the inspirational defender when things aren't going well.

When asked whether Jansson goes missing at key times, he responded; “I've been looking at that and analysing that as well, and yeah I think so.”

“He likes to play to the crowd when you're winning, and that's great, but you need those characters when things are down to be your talisman as well when the chips are down. You've got to stand up, you've got to be that leader.”

The Verdict

It seems a bit harsh for Whelan to say that Jansson goes missing and may have been said in the heat of the moment to a derby defeat.

He does have a point that the big defender likes to play to the crowd, but it's not really a major problem when you look at the performances he's delivered since joining.

In Sunday's defeat there were many bigger problems than Jansson and Leeds will need to show leadership and character throughout the side if they're to end their away-day problems.

What do you think Leeds fans? Does Whelan have a point? Is it over the top? Let us know in the comments below.