Lots of Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after Pablo Hernandez shared his thoughts on Marcelo Bielsa, but the key Whites midfielder’s comment has shown a clear conflict among the Elland Road faithful.
Hernandez was Leeds’ most influential presence in the Championship last term, as he created a team-high 12 goals and only Kemar Roofe’s 15 strikes bettered the Spaniard’s haul of 12 (WhoScored).
This season has again seen Hernandez play a pivotal role in the West Yorkshire outfit’s efforts in the second-tier, as no player has fashioned more key chances per ninety minutes than Hernandez, with the 34-year-old playing an average of 2.9 or one every 31 minutes.
His output has consistently been on a level par since first arriving at Elland Road on an initial loan deal in 2016, but Hernandez feels the arrival of Bielsa in the dugout last summer has allowed him to continue developing his game.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, Hernandez has claimed that he felt he was an experienced player when he joined Leeds and ‘knew everything in football’, but added that the arrival of Bielsa has shown that he ‘can learn something new every day’.
Some Leeds supporters have absolutely loved the Spanish playmaker’s comment, with one sharing that they believed every word of it as Bielsa is a ‘genius’.
Another raised a wider view, by noting that the quality of United’s players is ‘night and day’ from before the Argentine head coach joined the West Yorkshire side.
Here are some of the messages shared…
Whilst I’m not surprised, it’s still a huge statement that.
— Bielsa’s Cheese Wedge Ultras (@Allcheese1) October 24, 2019
I for one believe every single word he said. Bielsa is genius. End of! #lufc
— Rod Christopher (@rodchristopher9) October 24, 2019
Speaks volumes ??????
— Ollieunited WY ?? (@ollieunited) October 24, 2019
The difference in our team now Bielsa is here is night and day, people always got something to moan about water is wet and life is never perfect.
— Pooky (@Scoobydiwopwop) October 25, 2019
Won’t realise how much he’s changed the club till he’s gone imo
— stephen browne (@styb9) October 24, 2019
While some Leeds supporters sought to agree with Hernandez’s comment on Bielsa and the impact of the former Argentina boss, others have shown there to be a clear conflict among the Elland Road faithful.
Many of the supporters reacting to Hernandez’s claim have sought to point out the vast number of their fellow fans who have been extremely critical of Bielsa and his methods of late.
He should have just read twitter, half the so called fans commenting on here know more than Bielsa. ???????
— Welsh White ?? (@rogerscpr) October 24, 2019
Yet half of Twitter know better than Bielsa
Scenes!
— ???? ??? (@LUFCInc) October 24, 2019
Yeah, but Alan from Beeston knows best.
— Kelly’s Eye?? (@RRHand808) October 24, 2019
Not a patch on Barry from beeston who knows better from his armchair posting on #lufc??
— James Gill (@jgill1986) October 24, 2019
Other fans focused on Hernandez himself, though, with one raising the question of when the midfielder will be returning from his hamstring injury (Leeds Live).
The muscle problem meant the 34-year-old has not featured since September 21 when Leeds were held to a 1-1 draw with Derby County, and a fresh gripe ensured he was forced to miss last weekend’s victory over Birmingham City.
Hernandez is hopeful of being back in action “within a week or two” (Adam Pope), which could see the playmaker return against Queens Park Rangers or Blackburn Rovers prior to the November international break.
Never mind that , when his he going to be fit ?
— Richard Walker (@richleedsuk) October 24, 2019
Future coach and Bielsa disciple?
— Mick Burns (@burmic) October 24, 2019