There are a number of factors about today's game that made me think about how we are going to keep up our chase for promotion.
The first is that although we had our strongest squad for months, we could easily have lost by a landslide. Mistakes at critical moments affected us. We are shipping an average of two goals a game over our last 9 games. The problem, I think, is that we have not had a settled defence for months and this is showing in the goals we concede, and in our indiscipline. I do think this will improve pretty quickly though.
A second concern is that Bielsa has given too much away, both on and off the pitch. Teams know what to expect and that makes the players' jobs much harder. He needs to say less and keep his thinking within the dressing room.
Thirdly, it was puzzling why he did not play KP from the start, and didn't bring him on, even when Foreshaw was clearly struggling. Perhaps there is an injury concern, but for me, KP starts ahead of Foreshaw every time.
I am also wondering if Bielsa can manage the big egos effectively. Samu when he was here, Pontus and Kemar all have a kind of petulance which limits their game, when they should be channelling that energy into playing for the team. There has been a lot of insightful comment about Samu in particular and in hindsight, it looks like we have been shafted by Getafe. This is new territory for Bielsa and as much as we appreciate his intelligence, we also need to allow him time to adapt to the Championship and LUFC. His comments about not feeling like a success are self-limiting. I think he needs to keep these thoughts to himself. This is the Championship, not 'In the psychiatrist's chair'.
Finally, the transfer window debacle and the Saiz deal suggest that our management team are not cut out for the dog-eat-dog world of player transfers. Yes, we are skint, but that doesn't mean we can't line up players who can hit the ground running. As one poster said, Norwich got Buendia for half of what we paid for Samu, and Pukki on a free.
One thing about Bielsa is that he can make changes and win games. We are still 3 points clear of the Blunts who have a tricky game at Villa next week. Boro do not have the flair of Norwich and can be ground down, if we tighten our defence. He has a lot of options to tweak our style for next week, and I would prefer if he tells nobody anything of note. Let Pulis work it out for himself.
Bielsa is the best thing to happen to LUFC since we left the Premier League. He gets more decisions right than wrong, but he also needs time to make his mark with us. He will learn from this. Let's make sure we are right behind him along the way.
Back to school for Bielsa
posted on 3/2/19
Bielsa did this whole divulge thing as a result of spygate. Spygate isnt the reason we are playing badly mind. It's the systematic transfer policy that's seeing the team do what they are doing.
posted on 3/2/19
Nothing we can do about the transfer policy in the next 16 games. Need to convert more chances and cut out the errors.
posted on 3/2/19
Do t think that this is new territory fur Bielsa he’s been in football long enough.
There are 2 sides to everything.
Naming teams in advabce is great when we’re winning it’s opien to criticism when we’re losing.
Some of his dubs are inspired some just don’t work .
We all make mistakes and it’s great if we learn from them and adapt along the way.
The challenge with Bielsa is I’m not sure we see the adapting along the way.
Now, having said this, I absolutely love the wT he takes responsibility, it’s so refreshing in an era of war mocks and Fergusons.
I love the way he shows faith in youth how he supports the players and has given us a real pride.
I have never felt that the management are fully behind Bielsa. Little things like Bielsa thinking sun shines out of Orta’s bum when Orta has really delivered Bert little fur Biejsa except his Leeds contract. AR apologising for Bielsa’s behaviour when Biejsa is adamant he’s done nothing wrong, and club delivering little in this transfer window made me feel that Bielsa seemed very isolated yesterday when he accepted responsibility for what is an awful result whichever way you cut it.
I don’t want any management statements if Support fit Bielsa I want to see the players rebound and put in a performance get a result next game and for Biejsa to feel supported as I’m a little worried about how it might be behind the scenes.
posted on 3/2/19
Jonty, I agree with every single word there.
Pretty bad weekend of sport for me chaps.. Leeds lose, rhinos get smashed, England lose the cricket, my rugby game was cancelled this morning due to a frozen pitch... my only possible saving grace would be Aguero scoring a hatrick as I’ve trebble captained him this week in my fantasy football.
posted on 3/2/19
And who’s a thunk it.. aguero saves my weekend 😂
posted on 4/2/19
comment by The Spanish Italians (U21595)
posted 10 hours, 37 minutes ago
And who’s a thunk it.. aguero saves my weekend 😂
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You psychic, Spanish, what's the score going to be against Boro? I largely agree with your comments, Jonty, except that Bielsa, as good a coach as he is, is relatively inexperienced as a manager, with long gaps in his cv. I do think we need to acknoweldge that he is still finding his feet in the Championship and give him the time to succeed. The worst thing that can happen is that we don't get promoted and he walks. I would prefer him to stay to at least the end of this contract, in any event.
posted on 4/2/19
I think he’s definiteky inexperienced in England, but first half of season shows that isn’t a hindrance. I don’t gink second half (so far) is because of lack of experience in English league More to do with what looks like a stubbornness to rely on existing players but I just don’t feel he’s been given all he needs and is not sort of man to blame others in public.
posted on 4/2/19
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 2 hours, 56 minutes ago
I think he’s definiteky inexperienced in England, but first half of season shows that isn’t a hindrance. I don’t gink second half (so far) is because of lack of experience in English league More to do with what looks like a stubbornness to rely on existing players but I just don’t feel he’s been given all he needs and is not sort of man to blame others in public.
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I think you are right about not getting what he needs, but isn't he showing a lot of naivety in being so open and self-deprecatory? This seems more appropriate for Spain of France, but draws a lot of attention to him, when he needs to let his football do the talking.
posted on 4/2/19
No, I think it's a fantastic way to gain loyalty from the players and the fans. I especially like the way that he doesn't criticise referees, he is a role model for us all in how to conduct himself in professional sport in that respect.
Only challenge is owners taking advantage of it as unless everyone has that mindset then people who blame others will point fingers at Bielsa.
What I might change are:
Naming team publicly so early
Add some flexibility/variation in from time to time otherwise we become too predictable
posted on 4/2/19
Agreed.