It’s been a long time coming but Leeds fans are set to get their first taste of life under Marcelo Bielsa tonight, with the first pre-season game against Forest Green.
His line-up was reported on Phil Hay’s Twitter feed – Hay is senior reporter with the Yorkshire Evening Post – and a section of Leeds fans were unhappy at seeing all the familiar faces from last season back again, with Liam Cooper being singled out for criticism.
Leeds United v Forest Green: Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Forshaw, Cooper, Berardi, Alioski, Dallas, Hernandez, Saiz, Phillips, Roofe. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 17, 2018
Only four subs for Leeds and 15 players in all. Subs: Miazek, Dalby, Diaz, Rey. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 17, 2018
There hasn’t been a lot of action on the transfer front, with Chelsea goalie Jamal Blackman and teammate Lewis Baker arriving on loan.
Neither of those feature tonight, not even on the bench. However, aside from that, it’s a strong Leeds line-up that should give fans an indication of the sort of effect Bielsa has had.
Bielsa is known as one of the elite managers in the game, known for his thorough approach and and reportedly had all of Forest Green’s friendlies taped ahead of tonight’s game.
That follows on from his Leeds interview where he was said to have watched every single Leeds game from last season.
Thankfully that didn’t put him off and Leeds fans will get to see if his approach can make a difference with a squad of players relatively unchanged from last campaign.
Hare are the best reactions from Leeds fans to Bielsa’s line-up:
When you see Cooper in the starting line up… pic.twitter.com/1m7OCOXqSa
— Luke (@lukecollier_) July 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/harry_g00/status/1019269706413477891
https://twitter.com/roycedun/status/1019270768180547586
Good job we got all those signings over the line weeks ago
— WackLUFC180 (@TheWack180) July 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/JimmyHol84/status/1019270726287855616
Polish the turd and press repeat
— richlufc’70 (@Garforthrich) July 17, 2018
WTF is Cooper doing there? Seriously?? Haven't we had enough? #lufc. He must have some pics of Radz doing something pretty horrid?
— Batty's Mam ?? (@wasreallynowt) July 17, 2018
We need to sign quality and fast
— Danieljamesrose (@danieljamesros2) July 17, 2018
I reckon we’ll stand a good chance in league 1 with that team
— Nathan (@Aha_Shake) July 17, 2018
Absolutely minging. We need 5 signings at least, 2 centre halves and 2 forwards just as a start. Ffs
— Oliver Medd (@OliverMedd7) July 17, 2018
You can watch the game live on on the official Leeds United website.