Disclaimer - I copied and pasted this off a social media website:
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa spoke to the media following the New Year’s Day defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The result meant that Leeds suffered back to back defeats for the first time under his tenure, after his appointment in the summer.
Leeds still remain at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table despite the defeat and Bielsa gave his thoughts on the loss at the City Ground.
“We had a succession of factors and all of these factors were against us," said Bielsa.
“We had to play with one player less, we were a little bit fragile in defence, but during the 90 minutes we tried to win and did everything to win and the players did a very big effort.
“When we scored the second goal I thought about making a change to put a defender on to replace Kalvin Phillips (following his earlier sending off), but honestly I didn’t take this decision because I didn’t find any player that would be useful at that minute.
“Kemar Roofe was very helpful in attack, Pablo Hernandez was managing the time of the team, Mateusz Klich was giving dynamism to our play, Jack Clarke would’ve created a lack of balance on his side and Ezgjan Alioski was doing a very important job on his side.
“This meant our offensive players were doing very well and in defence we were outnumbered.
“It is not a new fact that we have problems on set-pieces and it is also not a new fact that we make it easier sometimes for the opponent to have chances to score.
“The game has this kind of risks and the fact that we dare to play sometimes has negative aspects, but it gives us the style of play that we should be faithful towards."
No surprise that Bielsa did not defend a lead. We knew when he arrived that he is an attacking minded coach.
Bielsa After Florist
posted on 3/1/19
Exactly Spanish.
We play a certain way, it comes with risk... no-one complains when it comes off. People go into meltdown when it backfires. Frankly, I’ve loved watching us dominate sides, go for the win after the negative crap we’ve seen over the years. The flip side is we’re’ more Vulnerable on transition.
It’s the cost of entry.
posted on 3/1/19
Milkyboy hits the nail on the head with the word 'versatile'.
Bielsa seems keen on defenders that have both CB and FB attributes. When playing with wing backs, it's inevitable that the CB will have to move across and cover when the wing back is upfield. The third CB (or CDM) then has to drop in to take his place at CB.
Halme is very much a CB and not a FB, so the risk is that he would be badly exposed with players, most likely in wide positions, running at him. Bielsa must have decided this risk was greater than that created by a lack of tall players to defend corners. When down to 10 men, the need for versatility is even greater - so I can understand Bielsa's comments.
posted on 3/1/19
comment by The Spanish Italians (U21595)
posted 2 hours, 18 minutes ago
we should get out of the habit of 'looking to blame', I think Beilsa hits the nail on the head by saying there were a number of factors..
has to be said though, we looked the far better side at 2 - 1 up, you wouldn't of thought we had a player less. why change it at that point? - in hindsight we should of done a Jose (or even Pulis) - but ain't it wonderful using hindsight eh?
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What Bielsa has done to this squad, to LEEDS UNITED is no more than a miracle, we should ALL be lauding him. And if we sign anybody or not, let him get on with it.
Bielsa may want players AR may not want to splash out who knows. Bielsa may be happy with what he has at his disposal. He does not change he is consistent in what he does & who he plays. Fact of facts are that we are playing the best football anybody has seen for nearly 15 years & it is a pleasure to watch. Yes hindsight we should have shut up shop & Bielsa alluded to BUT that is just no his way. You can want all you like but in the end he runs the team.
WE ARE TOP FOR A REASON & THAT REASON IS MARCELO BIELSA
posted on 3/1/19
Also myself I do like the new way we seem to be going about business / transfers. Nothing gets leaked & if we do sign anyone, we know when we do, simple.
It is not good for the wanters & speculators but it is fine by me.
posted on 3/1/19
Kamara, I agree, this is why I'm positive that nothing happened at all ref Vydra in the summer, pure speculation - despite some folk telling us all about the ins and outs of it all, wages, mothers maiden name, waist size etc
posted on 3/1/19
Good conversation, thanks for the exchange of ideas guys.
"WE ARE TOP FOR A REASON & THAT REASON IS MARCELO BIELSA"
Can't argue with that!
posted on 4/1/19
Jonny it looks like you me & dare I say it Jonty who is ok with BPF?
posted on 4/1/19
comment by Kamara's left foot (U21862)
posted 5 hours, 48 minutes ago
Jonny it looks like you me & dare I say it Jontywho is ok with BPF?
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Yep, we certainly seem to be in the minority but I believe there are a few others.
posted on 4/1/19
I'm not saying he's perfect or that there aren't better keepers, but I don't think he's as bad as people make out and don't think he deserves people continually saying he's not good enough and needs replacing yesterday.
posted on 4/1/19
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 11 minutes ago
I'm not saying he's perfect or that there aren't better keepers, but I don't think he's as bad as people make out and don't think he deserves people continually saying he's not good enough and needs replacing yesterday.
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Totally agree with that , spot on!