A section of Leeds United fans have taken to Twitter to hail Marcelo Bielsa’s attention to detail after a reliable journalist revealed the manager had filmed all of Forest Green’s pre-season friendlies.
Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay reported on his personal Twitter account ahead of Leeds’ opening pre-season clash against the League Two club the level of Bielsa’s preparation.
Forest Green are well into their friendly schedule and spent some time in Devon last week. Bielsa had all of their friendlies filmed in preparation for tonight.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) July 17, 2018
Many Leeds supporters were struck by the level of detail from the newly-appointed manager, with one comparing him to club legend Don Revie.
This Is Furbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Shades of Don Revie in Bielsa if you ask me. Famous for dossiers and attention to detail #LUFC https://t.co/r9ooTDb1wV
— Daniel (@dawnbreaker_82) July 17, 2018
Announce championship title
— Landro Jr ???? (@LandroSander) July 17, 2018
Why? Surely at this stage it's more about us than the opposition. Especially from a lower level.
— Lee Clough (@Cloughy7) July 17, 2018
It's about getting the players used to doing things in a particular way, studying the opposition, planning what they need to do etc. It shouldn't matter who the opposition is, or how important the fixture.
— Celebaglar (@LordFrivolous) July 17, 2018
@jackparryx like don revie
— Nath Baxter (@nathbaxtttt) July 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/LucasG1998/status/1019250412669587456
https://twitter.com/CharlieWells93/status/1019250922353057794
Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail #LUFC
— eddieleeds (@eddieleeds1) July 17, 2018
@joepotts_ he's insane and I love him for it
— kamron (@Kamron09) July 17, 2018
COMMENTARY:
It is not for nothing that Bielsa has acquired a reputation as one of world coaching’s most intense and thorough practitioners. After forking out an estimated £40,000-a-week deal to make the Argentine their new manager, Leeds top brass would expect nothing less than complete attention to detail in readiness for the new Championship season. Nevertheless, Hay’s revelation is intriguing. It is rare for managers to go to the extent of filming all the opposition’s friendlies in the build-up to what is normally seen as a gentle warm-up exercise as the players look to finetune. Bielsa clearly regards pre-season as far more than just a chance for the players to build up their fitness. He wants to formulate plans, develop a playing style and identify the players who can deliver what he wants of them. These are exciting times for Leeds fans whatever the current transfer market difficulties.