No defeats, 14 goals and 14 points from six Championship outings mean Leeds United have had a stunning start under the iconic Marcelo Bielsa. For his start, the boss picked up August’s Manager of the Month Award.
The Whites are at the summit of the table right now but Bielsa will know that the dog days aren’t far away considering the Championship schedule.
So far this season, Leeds have showcased plenty of promise in these early weeks but must work on a few things.
Rotation
Bielsa is lucky that none of his players have suffered any major injury scare so far despite the demanding style of play and the manager has fielded almost the same starting lineup in these early league outings.
But their scarcity of quality amongst the reserves came under scrutiny in the aftermath of a 2-0 loss to ten-men Preston in the League Cup Second Round fixture.
The gaffer opted to rotate and the fringe players failed miserably in making an impact. That performance means they aren’t really reliable options to have. Only Patrick Bamford and Pontus Jansson are suited to occupy a starting role but the backups in other slots are yet to convince this season.
An 11th-hour exclusion of skipper Liam Cooper saw right-back Luke Ayling shifted to a centre-role paving the way for teenager Jamie Shackleton starting in the right-back role against Swansea City.
Jansson, the prime alternate option in central defence, was injured too and the frailty at the back saw them conceding twice against the Swans, though the game eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.
Similarly, the absence of veteran Pablo Hernandez allowed young Jack Harrison, the Manchester City loanee, featuring on the right wing. However, the latter failed to have the same impact as the Spaniard as the game ended in a goalless draw.
Defence – Improved but can get better
Leeds have conceded only four times in six games – a commendable display considering their frailty last season where they conceded 59 goals altogether in the league.
They have been more disciplined and resilient so far but are yet to match the standard set by Middlesbrough. The Teeside outfit have kept five successive clean sheets since their opening weekend fixture against Millwall and also managed to snatch a point from Elland Road, restricting Leeds to a goalless draw.
Tony Pulis, the Boro gaffer, is known for his defensive football, quite the opposite of Bielsa, but is well aware of what is required to win games. They are also leading the race alongside Leeds but are only behind on goal difference.
The goals conceded by Leeds against Swansea City in the Championship and Preston in the League Cup reminded the necessity of more focus and rigidity at the back.
Kalvin Phillips – Too big a role to adapt to in Bielsa’s formation
Kalvin Phillips, the 22-year-old home-grown prodigy, had featured in a much-advanced role before Bielsa took charge. The gaffer decided to slot him ‘in the hole’ in between the backline and the midfield four.
Bielsa is lauded for his tactical prowess but depending so much on a rookie might backfire when the fixtures start coming thick and fast.
Phillips plays in a crucial position where he has to provide the protection to the defence and at the same time, link the defence to attack. Leeds’ fluent transitions from defence to attack depend a lot on Phillips’ performances in central midfield.
Phillips has mostly justified his role so far (except the Swans game where he was taken off in less than half hour mark to be replaced by Chelsea loanee Lewis Baker) but might be exposed owing to his lack of experience and consistency in that role. Leeds should be looking to add another competent player for that role when the transfer window reopens next year.