I love Bielsa, he's worked miracles and continues to do so but every so often he makes a fundamental mistake. Usually, he's pretty quick to try and rectify (pulling off Struijk after 20 mins against Villa) but I still find it mind boggling that he makes these mistakes. Yesterday, he decided to split up a defence which had been showing real promise through a clean sheet and some good defending in recent games and then decided to replace Phillips with one of those central defenders. This is a move he's made in the past which hasn't worked so why repeat it ? Why break up our best attacking threat down the right side with Ayling and Raph ? and when you're going into a game like this with an unfit midfielder (Klich) why supplement it with a central defender ?? Mind boggling stuff from Bielsa and it was no suprise that we were quickly 3 down (could have been more). In his defence you could argue that we are down to the bear bones of the squad and cover is difficult but I'd argue against that with some midfield options provided by players on the bench Pablo, Shack, Gelhart , Roberts. But in Bielsa's mind he has 2 players for every position and he rarely thinks outside that box. The holding midfielder role is Philips or Struijk and that's that even if it's never worked. The weird and wonderful Mr Bielsa. At 4-0 down we've no chance but credit to the players for keeping going and pulling a couple back although they had countless chances to bury us 6 or 7. One to forget for me, but will it happen again on Friday night ? I suspect it will. Scores: Meslier - 2. I thought this was his poorest game for Leeds. All over the shop. They caused us all sorts of problems by pushing high. With Struijk walking around aimlessly there was no outlet and we struggled all the way through the first half. Ayling - 5. Poor first half, was all over the place. Better 2nd when he was able to offer something going forward. Allioski - 2. Really poor Cooper - 5. Suffered with the team but kept battling Shackleton - 4. I don't think he's a right back. All their attacks came from their left in the first half. Struijk - 4. First half it was like watching someone who has never played before. He was all over the shop but I have to give him credit for growing into the game and almost looking like a midfielder by the end but it's not a position he plays well, anyone can see that (well almost anyone). Klich - 3. Poor game. Turns out he wasn't fit and Bielsa was thankful for him to agree to play ? What !!!??? You don't go to Arsenal with a half fit midfielder ? Madness. Raphinha - 5. Didn't get into the game mainly due to our lack of a midfield. Harrison - 4. One decent cross and one half shot, not much else. Dallas - 4. One man midfield but he didn't do anything. Bamford - 5. Feeding on scraps. Claim for a pen 2nd half after a great move from us but I don't think it was. Subs: Costa - 5. Yeah, he scored but a few mins early he dallied with the ball and lost it which led to their 4th (I think). Let's hope he pushes on from his goal and starts to make a difference when he comes on because he really hasn't produced since joining the club. Roberts - 7. For me he was our MOTM, he looked sharp, good passing, good movement. He's ready for a start for me. Huggins - 6. Looked tidy. So what about Pablo ? Almost single handedly won us promotion but now can't get off the bench in front of the likes of Costa ? I think it's shocking. He would have caused Arsenal some trouble in that 2nd half. Onwards to Wolves on Friday night. Please don't play Struijk im midfield. We all know he will.
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