Former Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen has cited the six-game ban Samuel Saiz received as a key reason for his sacking at Elland Road.
As well as that, the ex-APOEL boss believes expectations were raised to unrealistic levels after their fantastic start to the season that saw Leeds lead the way at one stage.
Saiz was key to that superb start, delighting fans with his performances and quickly established himself as the main man at the club.
And, the Daily Mail report how Christiansen told Danish media outlets that losing the summer signing for six games was a significant blow.
"Saiz was our most important player in the offensive part of the game and we couldn’t afford to buy a new one. Suspensions and injuries piled up. The squad just wasn’t big enough for us to replace those players."
The likes of Liam Cooper, Eunan O'Kane and Gaetano Berardi were sent off at that time too and that lack of discipline seriously cost Leeds.
A win over Birmingham took the Whites to the top in mid-September and Christiansen thinks that didn't help too.
"The fans said the team had not played so well for over a decade. With our good start, expectations grew a little more."
The Verdict
You can't really argue with Christiansen here. The Saiz suspension was a hammer blow for the club and there's no one to blame but the player himself given the way it came about.
Similarly, Leeds were overachieving in September and you could say he left the club in a position they should be in - just outside the top six.
However, he did have his faults and you can understand why Leeds have gone down a different route.
Thoughts, Leeds fans? Let us know in the comments below.