Brian Deane: Leeds United squad is too small and club hasn’t developed
Premier League survival is “going to be tight” because of the strains being put on a Leeds United squad that is too small believes Brian Deane.
The former Whites striker admits that “everybody loves” Marcelo Bielsa and hopes he is the answer for the next few years, but believes the manager has made some wrong moves that are negatively affecting the club’s fortunes this season.
United have been ravaged by injuries all year, with key men Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper all missing significant time, but nobody was signed in the January window.
Speaking to BETDAQ, via the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Premier League’s first ever goalscorer said: “I’m a little bit disappointed the development of the club hasn’t evolved because you can’t stand still, you always have to make changes, even if it’s minute changes.
“The squad needs to keep getting refreshed. You need options and the squad is currently too small, which is causing problems.
“The platform Leeds have is a good one, but I do worry. A lot of the games have been too close, though they’ve been brilliant to watch. I’m just a little concerned how open they are when they go forward.”
The 54-year-old is still optimistic for the end of the season: “There’s three teams that are worse than them. It’s exciting watching Leeds as you know every man is going to give 100 per cent and some of the football they play is amazing.
“But it’s going to be tight. I just hope they have enough legs and enough quality to see them over the line.”
Touch and go
As recently as the 3-2 victory over West Ham it seemed certain that despite everything the Whites would have enough to get over the line and prepare for next season.
But the damaging 3-0 loss at fellow strugglers Everton on Saturday has put a more worrying slant on everything.
This is especially true considering yet more injuries came out of the game, with the usually ever-reliable Stuart Dallas and then his replacement Leo Hjelde doubts for Manchester United.
Deane doesn’t feel that turning to the squad’s youngsters is the right move because it is too much to throw them in front of big crowds and it has a negative affect on squad mentality.
But if they are good enough to be a part of the squad, and in many cases good enough that the manager did not want to lose them in January, then they should be used.
If it would prevent the overwork of the remaining senior players, and help in terms of development it would surely make sense.
The second season back in the top flight was always going to be tough, but it wouldn’t have been this tough without the injury problems.
It probably didn’t need to be so bad even so if there was a bit more cover, but Bielsa has worked wonders at Elland Road with his methods and these were always some of the risks.
In other Leeds United news, Tony Dorigo is really concerned by what he saw against Everton.