I'm beginning to wonder if Bielsa is beginning to feel the pressure. Earlier in the season, he was prepared to make big calls on the team he played, and the subs he brought on to change things, if the game was not working out. Recently, though, his team selection has been increasingly rigid, even with players coming back. His default players - Klich, Pablo, Alioski, Ayling, Pontus, Harrison, Roberts - always make the first team, and our substitutions seem to offer a fresher version of 'more of the same.' The first team regulars looked flat today. They know their place on the team-sheet is secure and, I think, this relieves some of the positive stress they need to play at the top of their game. Our passing and dead-ball play was abysmal today.
I said during the week that Forshaw would have been an interesting choice for this game, as that would give us more of a backbone in the midfield and allow us to press more in their half of the field. In October or November, I think Bielsa might have tried that. Not now though.
Against Sheffield United, we could have brought on Shackleton to attack their right side, when Ayling was playing poorly, but again, we held back on that. If that had been earlier in the season, would Bielsa have done the same thing?
After today's game, Bielsa talked about how he played Klich in the wrong way (didn't he do that after a previous loss?) when Klich was doing ok, or at least, no worse than anyone else. Preston is now a massive game, so what should Bielsa do? Stick to the tried and tested, or take a chance on something different?
The tension at Leeds is huge. There is so much expectation and hope. Players are affected by it. I think Bielsa is too. He is undoubtedly a footballing genius but is he ready for the pressure cooker of our remaining games?
Bielsa feeling the heat?
posted on 7/4/19
Like others, I love Marcelo, I have enjoyed the season, or most of it, I do think however that there are flaws in the way we play. Birmingham yesterday were set up not to lose and if you can do that you stand a chance against a Bielsa side. We dominate a lot of matches but are so easy to frustrate and starve of opportunities. I think most teams have now sussed out how to play us. I think what has worked to now has stopped working and Bielsa needs to start planning how to beat teams that have sussed us out and have the personnel to implement the game plan.
posted on 7/4/19
EVERY manager is feeling the pressure
posted on 7/4/19
Against Millwall we brought off a centre back for a winger
posted on 7/4/19
Just running out of options.
Our bench offers next to nothing as an attacking influence.
posted on 7/4/19
If our players could score goals, it might help!
posted on 7/4/19
comment by Elsbels (U21658)
posted 11 hours, 8 minutes ago
Like others, I love Marcelo, I have enjoyed the season, or most of it, I do think however that there are flaws in the way we play. Birmingham yesterday were set up not to lose and if you can do that you stand a chance against a Bielsa side. We dominate a lot of matches but are so easy to frustrate and starve of opportunities. I think most teams have now sussed out how to play us. I think what has worked to now has stopped working and Bielsa needs to start planning how to beat teams that have sussed us out and have the personnel to implement the game plan.
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This is my point exactly. I think we are seeing the difference between Wilder, who has been battling for promotion for the past three years, and knows the territory, and Bielsa, who has not managed for a sustained period of time for over a decade. These are the fine margins which make the difference.