OPINION
Marcelo Bielsa needs to show his ruthless side after the international break and axe Liam Cooper from the Leeds United team.
Cooper was given the nod over Pontus Jansson to start Friday night’s goalless draw against Middlesbrough as he was restored to the team after missing the previous two games due to injury.
It worked out fine as Tony Pulis’ side parked the bus and Leeds had more of the ball in a match crying out for the creativity of the injured Pablo Hernandez.
But, Leeds badly need Jansson’s commanding presence as the fixtures come thick and fast during the autumn, starting with the 15 September trip to Millwall.
The New Den proved to be an unhappy hunting ground for United last season, and they never really recovered from a 1-0 mi-September defeat that exemplified the inadequacies of the team built by Thomas Christiansen.
Against such a physical side, Leeds will need Jansson’s physical prowess and ability to dominate centre-forwards.
The Cooper-Gaetano Berardi partnership has worked better than anyone – even surely Bielsa – dared hoped in the five United league matches they have been paired this season.
Indeed, Berard was outstanding against Boro as thrived as a ball playing centre-back and tasked with taking on the prolific Britt Assombalonga.
Cooper always looks an accident waiting to happen, and the blunt truth is he is not quite up to it.
Leeds would be better served by axing the 27-year-old and making Jansson-Berardi the favoured partnership.
The Swede talked last week about being a better team player this season after his World Cup experience in Russia this summer and the new demands made upon him by Bielsa.
The resumption of the league programme next week should provide him with an extended chance to prove it.