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Leeds returned to the top of the Championship on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Wigan, but Marcelo Bielsa’s post-match comments suggest changes could be on the way.
Leeds grabbed three points at Wigan on Sunday courtesy of a scrappy winner from Kemar Roofe, and the Whites never looked troubled from the moment they went in front.
Despite the great performance though, Bielsa’s side have got four other teams within three points of them, as is so often the case at the top of the Championship.
“What you’re saying indicates that we have many teams at the same level,” the boss responded when asked about the closeness of the teams at the top.
“In order to be first in the Championship we have to create a difference from the other teams and there are few points between the teams. We haven’t done that so far.
“We did it at the beginning but we stopped doing it and if we want to reach what you’re talking about, we have to show regularity in gaining points.”
If Bielsa really wants pull away at the top of the pile, his side will have to be ruthless at both ends of the pitch, and that may require a couple of huge changes.
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Bye bye Bielsa-ball?
The manager has reinforced time and time again that the performance is just as important as the result, but he may have to sacrifice this mentality at times, particularly late in games.
It seems like every goal Leeds concede these days is a simple goal from a set piece, and the boss will need to sacrifice some of the illustrious “Bielsa-ball” to tighten things up at the back.
Something similar can be seen with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, as the German has sacrificed his heavy metal football for a more cautious approach this season. The Reds are scoring less but winning more, and this improved game management can help Leeds pull away at the top.
Take the pressure off Roofe?
Of course, if you’re going to go less gung-ho then you need to be absolutely ruthless in front of goal. Leeds have already been linked with La Liga winger Ibai Gomez, and it would be no surprise to see them dip into the January transfer market to find some more clinical goalscorers.
Samuel Saiz and Ezgjan Alioski are both valued due to their work rates and link-up play, but the pair simply don’t score enough goals. Alioski in particular has taken some stick from fans recently, and the boss may be forced to replace him if he doesn’t find his shooting boots.
Wolves showed last season what happens when you have several attacking players who can score goals rather than just one striker, and while Andrea Radrizzani isn’t going to splash out like the Premier League newcomers, a couple of January moves could go a long way.
So, Leeds fans, do you think Bielsa should copy Klopp and be more conservative? Do you need a couple of attacking signings in January? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…
