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‘Massive bonus’ – Noel Whelan points out big plus for Leeds ahead of QPR clash

Football pundit Noel Whelan has heaped praise on Leeds United midfielder Pablo Hernandez after the veteran got some game time under his belt whilst playing against Sheffield Wednesday recently, as reported by Football Insider.

The 34-year-old played 24 minutes during the club’s 2-0 loss against the Owls on Saturday.

Prior to the game, he had missed three games due to injury.

“Yeah look he’s very experienced, he’s played at the highest level,” Whelan said of the Leeds talisman.

“He is a player who dictates the tempo of a game, he can control the game and I think that’s very important.

“When you have someone who can control the tempo, help dominate possession, is very forward-thinking and very creative and can do something special, it’s a massive bonus.

“Because we weren’t expecting him back so soon, so it was brilliant for him to get some minutes under his belt.”

Hernandez has so far played 18 games in all competitions this season, scoring three goals and registering four assists in the process.

Leeds will need the experience of Hernandez to come through at this moment in time.

Whilst the club are still in line to win promotion to the Premier League via the promotion playoffs, they are currently in a spot of bother.

The club has managed to win just one out of their previous six Championship games.

Leeds are one point adrift of first place West Brom and six points ahead of third place Brentford.

The Elland Road club need to regain form quickly. If they manage to do that, they could be in contention to win the second-tier title this season.

If Leeds fail to do that, they may have to once again contend with a place in the promotion playoffs.

Hernandez has been on the books of the Whites since January 2017 and his current contract with the club is due to end in 2022.

He is one of the players who will need to motivate the younger players at this point in time.

Hernandez will also be required to play a mentor role for Leeds next season if they succeed in winning promotion.

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