Leeds United fell to a third humbling defeat in as many games, this time at the hands of Antonio Conte’s Spurs – but the one thing Paul Merson chose to pinpoint was the fans’ reaction at full-time.
Goals from Matt Doherty, Dejan Kulusevski and Harry Kane saw the visitors race into a 3-0 lead inside just 27 minutes. The game then had a lack of goals, with it taking till the closing stages for Spurs to add a fourth via Heung-Min Son.
Should Leeds replace Bielsa?Yes!
No!
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Merson, talking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, laid into the fans for their conduct during the difficult period: “At the moment this rot needs to stop. I think the worrying thing for me was getting clapped off last Sunday. They had just been beaten by their arch-enemies, their arch-rivals Manchester United in the biggest game of their year and they let in four goals and they are getting clapped off.”
“He’s pulling wool over people’s eyes. He needs to change things. His squad is depleted, I know he’s got big players out, but he has to change it. You can’t keep going to Liverpool’s and Man United’s and opening games up and get beaten sixes and fours. You have to stop it. At the moment, I worry for them, really worry for them.
“I think the fans need to get a bit stronger. Don’t start clapping your team off. If I got beat by Tottenham four at Highbury when I was playing there is no way I would be getting clapped off. Just go home. You don’t have to boo, I’m not saying boo and throw shoes at them.”
It’s harsh to call out the fans for trying to get behind their team and do their part in trying to lift the performances. It’s the board who need to be strong with decision making.
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The Whites supporters at Elland Road these past few weeks should be applauded for the way in which they have stuck behind their team, and only those who have been with the club through thick and thin will know just how important Bielsa has been to the club and Yorkshire as a whole.
Decisions clearly need to be made though, the last week has seen Leeds become the side that have conceded the most goals in the division this season, conceding more than bottom club Norwich even with the threat of relegation becoming bigger by the game.
It may well be time for change, but Leeds fans will no doubt hold Bielsa in the highest regard for what he’s done over the years.
In other news, Jack Harrison leaves Peter Crouch unimpressed