OPINION
Leeds United might have kept up their perfect run to the start of the season – albeit by millimetres – but their clash against Rotherham threw up a significant issue that they need to address sharpish.
Luke Ayling’s header, which required goal line technology to determine whether or not the ball had crossed the line, and Kemar Roofe’s effort were enough for the Whites to seal the three points, but unlike against Stoke City and Derby County, they were by no means dominant against the visitors to Elland Road.
After the way they brushed the former Premier League side and last season’s sixth placed finishers, Leeds were firm favourites against Paul Warne and his men, but the League One play-off winners went toe-to-toe with Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
The serious issue Leeds face is how quickly an opposition manager has managed to nullify the threat posed by the Whites, limiting their opportunities by adopting a similar style of high intensity pressing football which leaves little space to operate in.
It worked a treat – Rotherham only coming unstuck at a corner and with a moment of magic from Roofe – and Leeds will not be able to rely on set pieces or individual brilliant every week if their plan A does not work as expected.
If other, more experienced and more talented Championship sides can comfortably stop Leeds in their tracks by following Rotherham’s tactics, then the Whites actually face a battle to topple anyone.
The question is will Bielsa stick to his guns, or does he have a plan B up his sleeves?
On Saturday, it was the former which looked like the answer, but if he wants success in the Championship, he needs to adopt some secondary tactics to overcome stubborn sides.
They might have won, but this can be considered a warning for Leeds.