‘Stop. Wait. No.’ – Graham Smyth details recent Bielsa decision that left Leeds player gutted
Graham Smyth has detailed the odd exchange between Marcelo Bielsa and matchday officials during the last Leeds United substitution in the 1-0 win against Swansea.
Leeds had taken the lead through a late Pablo Hernandez goal. In response, Swansea brought on four players in injury time.
Marcelo Bielsa decided to bring Barry Douglas on in the 96th minute to shore things up, but with the left-back stripped and ready to come on, Bielsa started bellowing from the touchline.
Douglas was withdrawn and Gaetano Berardi came on in his place.
Talking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road podcast, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth details what happened and said it left Douglas gutted.
“Barry Douglas stripped off and ready to come on. He’d already been talked to by Bielsa, had his last-minute instructions and was stripped off and ready to come on,” Smyth said.
“He was probably two seconds from stepping onto the pitch, but Bielsa rushed over shouting, “Stop! Wait! No!” and someone had spotted Swansea, who they thought were going to a front three, were actually using Ayew as a second striker.
“Bielsa instantly decided Berardi, with superior heading and jumping over Douglas, was the player Leeds should put on.
“It must have been hard for Douglas to take, you’re in competition mode and ready to come on.
“It must have been difficult for him and he walked back to the bench looking a bit crestfallen.
“I find that absolutely fascinating. It shows the level of control he has and that he’s a decisive decision-maker. He’s quite happy to change his mind at the last second and back his decision making.”
We think this is quite brilliant.
We know what an impact Marcelo Bielsa has had at the club but this level of detail is quite phenomenal.
It was the 96th minute of the game when Berardi came on for the dying seconds of the game and Leeds went on to see it out.
Bielsa has subbed players off at half-time if he thinks that’s best for the game and he’s not afraid to sub subs off.
We think players understand that this is the way Bielsa works and you’re not going to find a Leeds player who has much bad to say about Bielsa, except maybe straight after a murderball session.
Douglas will have been disappointed but perhaps more surprised than anything else.
As Smyth said, it’s fascinating and the lack of fans in stadiums at the moment means that things like this are getting picked up by journalists in the ground.
We can’t wait for promotion to be secured – not least because it means Bielsa might be able to relax and enjoy himself for a bit.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Wow’ – BBC 5 Live pundit delivers Leeds top-two verdict if Brentford & WBA win rest of games