Luton Town star and Sky Sports pundit Alan Sheehan has been left shocked at just how fit Leeds United have proven to be this season as he reveals his hopes over their promotion bid.
The Whites players were worked exceptionally hard under new manager Marcelo Bielsa, with the squad coming out and lifting the lid on the double and triple training sessions that the Argentine boss demanded.
Despite knowing of what the new man in the dugout was demanding, Sheehan has revealed his surprise at how impressive the Leeds stars have been this season and is hoping they can convert their current top spot into promotion.
He told Sky Sports’ EFL Matters (15/02, 18:30): “I remember reading something about them in pre-season – treble sessions, quadruple sessions and all that so I expected them to be a fit team but perhaps not as fit as they actually are.
“They’re a team of athletes, they’re high tempo, I think at Elland Road, when they play there, it suits the fans that they have there and I’d like to see them go up.”
Opinion
Much was, and still is, made over what Bielsa has done to a side who finished 13th in the Championship last season, with most of the players who were part of that disappointing campaign still at Elland Road. As Sheehan says the fitness levels of the Whites has been something else and that, coupled with Bielsa’s tactical nous and experience of managing at the highest level, has coupled together to produce a side who look set for the Premier League come the end of the season. Sheehan will not be the only neutral hoping that Leeds can find their way back to the elite of English football – but will Bielsa’s intense demands see them fall off the pace between now and the end of the season? Only time will tell – although they look to have got over their recent slump in form which suggested that might well be the case.