Leeds went into the villa game with Cooper, Phillips and Llorente out. I expected the makeshift defence to concede and that Leeds would need to score 2 or 3 to win.
However Leeds adapted brilliantly.
They had to deal with Grealish playing like he thought social distancing rules applied and he should have a free kick every time a Leeds player got close, so threw himself to the ground. As a result Struijk recieved an early booking.
Replacing Stuijk early was a masterstroke by Bielsa. Had Struijk stayed on he may well have ended up on a red card or in order to avoid a second yellow his tackling would have needed to be restrained which would have suited Villa particularly Grealish who would have been tripping over Struijks laces at every opportunity. And what about his replacement Shackleton, a superb performance.
Meslier kept a clean sheet with two great saves.
In the 2nd half Leeds tore Villa to shreds. Harrison bombing down the left flank Costa charging in on the right. Rodrigo pinging laser sharp passes all over the place. Klich winning the ball in midfield and setting up attacks. Raphina coming on and making some great long range passes. Quick one touch attacking football a joy to watch. Topped off with a marvelous hatrick from Bamford. Villa were fortunate not to lose 5 or 6. Just fantastic.
What Bielsa has done to Leeds since his arrival is already one of the great managerial achievements. Fearless attacking football with style and panache.
Good times for Leeds fans.
Bielsa Masterstroke
posted on 24/10/20
comment by Inbefore (U20589)
posted 22 minutes ago
villa denied a pen though by the same ref who gave Chelsea a pen when Werner went down under slight brush from Thiago.
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It was over a month ago. Let it go.
posted on 24/10/20
comment by Inbefore (U20589)
posted 26 minutes ago
villa denied a pen though by the same ref who gave Chelsea a pen when Werner went down under slight brush from Thiago.
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VAR never gave it either. Grealish just dived as normal.
posted on 24/10/20
I think the biggest reason for Bielsa to sub Struijk was because he'd fouled again shortly after the yellow, if he'd sneezed after that he would have walked!..
Correct what Bielsa did!..
posted on 24/10/20
https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com/2018/8/21/17765406/match-recap-leeds-united-fight-for-a-2-2-draw-with-swansea-city-kemar-roofe
posted on 24/10/20
Struijk has a huge future, as does Shack. Hope he doesn't let that upset him, it was just a required change for the benefit of the team given the early yellow and the way both he and Grealish play
posted on 24/10/20
comment by Long Short Tall 666 (U19233)
posted 33 minutes ago
Struijk has a huge future, as does Shack. Hope he doesn't let that upset him, it was just a required change for the benefit of the team given the early yellow and the way both he and Grealish play
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Bielsa will make sure he understands I’m sure. It was just one of those times when shi it happens and you have to deal with it.
posted on 25/10/20
Didn't Bielsa do the same to Phillips in the first season? It was a no-brainer. I like Pascal Struijk (a Dutch werewolf in Leeds? ) and agree he has a great future, along with Meslier, Shackleton, Poveda. Kock is only 24 and is now consistently playing well. We have a lot of apparently sharp young prospects on the books which is really exciting, given where we are at this point. I've got to say that Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta are certainly doing the business...
posted on 25/10/20
Koch...excuse me...ahem...
posted on 25/10/20
Didn't Bielsa do the same to Phillips...
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Yes he did. It would be great if KP had a word with Struijk to reassure him.
posted on 25/10/20
Sir Kenneth posted link to the KP sending off earlier. Here it is again.
https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com/2018/8/21/17765406/match-recap-leeds-united-fight-for-a-2-2-draw-with-swansea-city-kemar-roofe