Pundit: Leeds United have gone backwards under Marcelo Bielsa this season
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson admits Leeds United have gone backwards under Marcelo Bielsa this season.
There’s a feeling among sections of fans and the media that this could be Bielsa’s final season in charge at Elland Road with it kind of feeling as though his reign is coming to a natural end.
Leeds have struggled this term with injuries and a serious lack of squad depth – something Bielsa seems to be opposed to sorting out – and could find themselves in a relegation battle.
If they lose their next three matches, Robinson admits the Premier League’s relegation zone will be a lot closer to Leeds than it is right now.
And although he suggests that Bielsa might be getting closer to his final days at Leeds, the Argentine will be able to choose where his statue at Elland Road will be.
“I think it’s absolutely vital they stay in the league this season,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News when asked if he thinks Bielsa’s spell at Elland Road is coming to a natural end.
“The next three weeks are incredibly key, they’ve got three huge games. They play Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool. If they get a return of zero points from those games, they’re in a real relegation scrap.
“The only thing that’s going to save them this year is that three teams are worse than them. Watford and Norwich have looked poor, Burnley look the poorest I’ve seen them but they’ve got games in hand and are capable of putting a run together. Brentford could get sucked into it too.
“Regarding the manager, has there been a progression on last year? No. If anything, there’s been regression.
“The squad’s not been added to other than Dan James, players haven’t come in and as much as what Bielsa’s done for the club is incredible, when he does eventually decide to leave, he can choose where he wants his statue putting.
“Where he’s taken that club from to where they are now is incredible in the space of time that he’s done it. He’s going to go down as one of the greatest managers the club has ever had.
“Has he progressed the club this year? No, he probably hasn’t. Can we see him progressing again? No, not unless they spend money or he sells key players.
“It’s going to be crunch time come the end of the season.”
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has mooted a big-name player exit in the summer.