Marcelo Bielsa has singled out Pablo Hernandez and Barry Douglas out for praise following the 2-1 win over Wigan.
Both players had been out with injury and it was Douglas’ first game back for Leeds since his time on the sidelines.
It was Douglas who started the move that led to Leeds’ early equaliser after falling behind to Wigan early on.
He found Mateusz Klich who set-up Hernandez with a sitter.
Talking in the Yorkshire Evening Post Bielsa said, “There’s a line that links Pablo to Douglas.”
“Douglas imposes himself on his side and Pablo does the same on the right. It’s not about experience. I’m talking about their style of play.
“When they play, these players have the capacity to make those close to them play better. This is important to the team.”
OPINION
You can see the difference these two players make when they’re in the side. Douglas and Hernandez were huge misses when they were both out injured and the link that Bielsa talks about is easy to see, no more so than in the first Leeds goal against Wigan. Getting a goal back so quickly after Leeds had fallen behind changed the complexion of the game completely. Leeds only won one of the four games that Douglas was missing for and just two of the seven without Hernandez. They’ve only lost one of the nine when both of them have been playing and won six of them. That’s automatic promotion form and keeping these two vital players fit could be the key that unlocks the path to the Premier League this season. The next game – the last before the international break – is a huge one, away at West Brom. If Leeds can pick up three points from their promotion rivals they’ll be setting their stall out as mid-season favourites for the title.