Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has shot down critics who have suggested that Leeds United could tire by highlighting their domination of the ball in game.
The Whites lead the way over their Championship rivals when it comes to their average possession throughout the season and that has played a big part in forming the foundations of their push for promotion.
With a number of pundits and fans questioning whether the intense style of play under Marcelo Bielsa will impact their bid for a return to the Premier League, Higginbotham has silenced the boo boys and revealed how much he loves the approach from the Argentine.
He told Sky Sports News’ Match Centre (07/03, 10:51): “I think from Leeds’ perspective, when Bielsa came it was bright, it was new, it was brilliant – it’s still the same as far as I’m concerned.
“I think a lot of people questioned whether they would tire in the second half of the season. Bielsa has been winter champion in France but then fell away, in South America the leagues that he’s won have been very short seasons.
“The way I look at it, because they dominate possession, they have plenty of breaks within the games so I don’t buy into that. They’re dealing with injuries at the moment, they’re dealing well with them. How I love the way that Leeds play.”
Opinion
Anyone questioning whether Leeds have enough in the tank to make it to the end of the season need only look at the way the club destroyed West Brom last weekend. It was an absolute mauling against one of their promotion rivals and if they can do that to a squad with that much quality, the rest of the division do not stand a chance. Yes, Bielsa’s methods might cause fitness problems and injury issues but the fact of the matter is they are still able to dominate games as we head into the final stretch of the season. Momentum is massive now and Friday’s result against the Baggies might just have reestablished their reputation as the team to fear in the Championship. If they can push on and continue to win games, there will be little anyone can do to stop them – regardless of how tired their players might be come the end of the campaign.