Marcelo Bielsa talks ahead of playing Newcastle – Injuries, willing to change style, feels sorry for Steve Bruce
Last season, Marcelo Bielsa comprehensively did far better than Steve Bruce, despite only having just getting promotion.
As well as exciting Marcelo Bielsa football compared to woeful boring and negative Steve Bruce tactics, Leeds picked up 14 points more than Newcastle, Leeds scored 16 more goals, plus conceding eight less than NUFC.
Indeed, the two matches between the two clubs perfectly summed up the respective seasons, Leeds winning both and scoring seven goals in the process.
Friday night sees the two clubs meet again, though Marcelo Bielsa is feeling sorry for Steve Bruce as Newcastle fans are calling for him to be sacked, or resign without waiting for a massive pay-off if he has any dignity remaining:
Bielsa declaring: ‘I always feel saddened when this happens to a manager, when his home fans go against him. It is one of the worst feelings that a manager can have.’
Only one point separates the two clubs but as Marcelo Bielsa points out (see below) Leeds have had a far tougher start to the season, with three of their four games so far being up against three of the top four in the table.
As for injuries and suspensions, Bielsa has confirmed that he is missing three centre-backs, though insists he is resolving the situation.
As for playing style, neutrals have loved what Marcelo Bielsa has done at Leeds, however, he says that if he was convinced playing a different way would produce better results then he ‘wouldn’t have any doubts’ in changing that style.
Marcelo Bielsa has spoken with the media ahead of playing Newcastle United – Leeds site:
Injury / fitness situation:
“Of the four central defenders we have, we can’t count on Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk or Robin Koch.
“But, we are in conditions to resolve the issue.
“Patrick Bamford has no difficulties.
“Adam Forshaw is finishing the recovery of his injury and from next week he will be available.”
Pressure early in the season?:
“So far this season we’ve played against Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton who are all high up in the table.
“We played an opponent like Burnley who were also in need of points, like us.
“The difficulty of the next game [against Newcastle United] is not superior to the games I have just signalled out.
“I can assure you that not any game in the games that are played in the week, would I allow for a long period of the competition to find a game without any pressure.”
Asked whether he would change the style of the team, following recent matches?:
“If I thought another way of playing would improve the team, I wouldn’t have any doubts in doing it.
“The style of a team is in conjunction of what is convenient and if you are able to execute it.
“Every process is legitimate, what I try to do is improve what we do.”
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