...but our style of play is very difficult to deal with.
How do you combat a team that is prepared to play like every game is a cup final? God knows we’ve had our fair share of those in the past and come unstuck.
Fitness is not an issue - that can be worked on. It’s injuries that will define our season as having such a small squad could be an issue a few month down the line.
One thing that is evident though and that is that Radz was correct about the team not producing to their potential last season. I think many thought he was probably wrong to go public with it though but maybe the frustration got to him?
I wonder if Bielsa had seen the potential and whispered in his ear that he could get more out of them? It seems we were talking to him well before the season ended.
Anyway - a great start. Let’s keep it going on Saturday and maybe blood a few tomorrow to give the likes of Saiz, Alioski, Roofe and Pablo a well earned rest.
Early Days
posted on 13/8/18
Need to rest most of the midfield and forwards. Give Blackman a chance, definitely rest Pablo and Klich.
posted on 13/8/18
Let’s see how we cope with two games a week before we get carried away. It is not fitness that could be the problem more the related fatigue. It is well documented that Beilsa’s teams have a record of petering our at the end of the season - hopefully he has learnt from this.
I will start getting excited when we are top two in April.
Here’s to the ride!
posted on 13/8/18
With the stated 2 for most positions I don't buy the fatigue stuff.
Injuries are the biggest threat but surely that is relevant regardless of how you play.
The single most important thing is how the other squad players fit into the system and play, whether that is all together in a Cup Comp or Injury / Suspension replacements.
posted on 13/8/18
Aza makes a good point.I am pretty sure we will see a significantly changed team and will be interesting to see if the players involved play the same style and tactics and do it just as well.
posted on 13/8/18
Certainly hope so Rob
posted on 13/8/18
comment by AZA (U5000)
posted 1 minute ago
With the stated 2 for most positions I don't buy the fatigue stuff.
Injuries are the biggest threat but surely that is relevant regardless of how you play.
The single most important thing is how the other squad players fit into the system and play, whether that is all together in a Cup Comp or Injury / Suspension replacements.
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I think you are spot on regarding the system etc...
However, I am happy to be proved wrong with regards to fatigue. Playing at the pace and intensity we have seen in the last two games will be a tough ask, especially, as you say, we get the inevitable injuries (which are also more likely with fatigue).
Fingers crossed you are right!
posted on 13/8/18
For Bielsa's approach to work, he effectively needs two first teams playing alternate matches in the same manner.
His biggest headache is going to be that for the most part our team has clear divisions in quality between first choice and second choice players.
posted on 13/8/18
comment by LeedsFanFor43Years (U6871)
posted 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
For Bielsa's approach to work, he effectively needs two first teams playing alternate matches in the same manner.
His biggest headache is going to be that for the most part our team has clear divisions in quality between first choice and second choice players.
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Not sure we can say that....., look at Phillips.....
posted on 13/8/18
I did say "for the most part"
posted on 14/8/18
For that rotating system to work you've got to hope and pray that injuries and suspensions don't play a major part, like last season.
Stupid, needless bookings like Bamford got, won't help our situation. If playing the intensive style we are, then players need to cut out the daft stuff - they'll all be needed through the course of the season.