Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has risked the wrath of Leeds fans after saying that their side has a “soft belly” that could cost them promotion.
Talking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show on talkSPORT (Thursday, 8am), Warnock was asked for his verdict on Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa.
“Leeds have got a soft belly at times when they’re under pressure,” Warnock said, and he thought that could cost them an automatic promotion spot.
However, he did have kinder words for the club and for Bielsa.
“But Leeds, what a club,” Warnock added. “They fill their stadium every week and are so desperate to get back into the Premier League. Bielsa has done a really good job.”
OPINION
This is a very harsh assessment of a side who have thrilled the Championship this season, and have done more to lift the level of the game under new manager Marcelo Bielsa. However, two recent results do stand out. Against QPR they couldn’t convert any of the chances they created and were hit with a sucker-punch from the struggling London club. Then, against Sheffield United, the same thing happened. They were by far the best team but a critical mistake in defence led to another 1-0 defeat. Soft belly might be harsh, but Leeds’ inability to finish games off when they’re on top could be the one thing that stops them from claiming a top-two spot. Leeds have two things in their favour. Jack Clarke is back and top-scorer Kemar Roofe is also on the brink of a return and could be back for the next game against Millwall. That should really help with goals and there are still eight games to go.