Tony Cascarino says he is a fan of the way Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa plays, but thinks it is too risky to do well in the Premier League if they end up being promoted.
He thinks that they could be like Fulham if they end up being promoted and Bielsa does not change anything about the way they play, something which he labels as being “too adventurous” at times.
Cascarino adds that the Whites would be completely dominated by the top teams in the top-flight if they continue to take risks, especially if the opponents have players who are good passers of the ball.
“I like the way that Marcelo Bielsa plays but if Leeds United are promoted to the Premier League, they are going to be like Fulham this year — they would be ripped to pieces,” he said in his Times column.
“Bielsa’s game is very adventurous but it comes with risks, as Norwich City showed on Saturday. If you get good footballers on the ball, who can pass it, you are in trouble.
“The style is fantastic — it is great to watch and it puts lesser sides under immense pressure — but, unless they change a few things, Leeds would be smashed to pieces by top teams.”
OPINION
As good as Leeds have been at the moment, Cascarino is right – if they continue taking too many risks, then they will end up being “smashed to pieces” by teams that are better than them. Sides like Manchester City and Liverpool both have players who are excellent passers of the ball, and this will prove to be their downfall if they continue with their adventrous style. Yes, they are an entertaining team to watch – there is no doubting the quality of the players that they have – and the last thing they want is to be ripped apart just like Fulham have this season. The Cottagers have some quality in their team but they have been found out far too many times for their liking, and this is exactly what will happen to Leeds if they get promoted. Nobody wants to see them fail miserably in the Premier League, so Bielsa must take action as soon as possible to prevent that from happening.