Stoke star Peter Crouch has suggested that Leeds United might have sent a spy to watch the Potters in training ahead of their meeting at the start of the season.
Marcelo Bielsa has admitted to sending spies to watch all of Leeds’ Championship rivals this season after a member of his staff was caught outside Derby’s training ground last week.
Crouch believes that it is possible to keep an eye on him and his Stoke team-mates as they train at Clayton Woods and while he believes that it is not the right thing to do, he admits that Bielsa has handled the whole scandal well.
“We play Leeds at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday. We were the first team to play them this season. They beat us 3-1 on August 5 and when I look back at that match in light of his revelations — they overran us in the first 20 minutes — it makes me wonder what they knew in advance,” said Crouch on the Daily Mail website.
“Our Clayton Woods training ground is in a rural area that dog walkers regularly use. You can see the pitches and we often have fans watching so I can only assume some of Bielsa’s staff joined them last summer, given what he said on Wednesday.
“There is no question what Bielsa has admitted to is morally wrong but it doesn’t outrage me. He has dealt with it in a manner nobody could have expected, taking full responsibility and not hiding behind the club. Many people are angry but be honest — you will be delighted if you support Leeds.”
OPINION
Crouch has admitted that anyone can walk past Stoke’s training ground and watch training. Whose fault is that? It’s definitely not Leeds’ fault that the Potters aren’t secretive about their training ground, and neither is it Leeds’ fault that Derby’s training ground is adjacent to a public footpath. Clubs have been naive to assume that they can train in such public areas. If fans can turn up to have a closer look at their idols, then why can’t one of Leeds’ staff members just happen to take a peak as well? They probably don’t learn too much about what is going on by standing at the edge of the training ground, peaking through a fence. Bielsa proved in his brilliant press conference this week that Leeds’ pre-match preparations are super in-depth without having to send a spy. It will be interesting to know if he continues to do it, or if any other clubs decide to start.