‘Really sensible’ – Exclusive: Pundit gives verdict on surprise Bielsa action in Leeds v Man Utd
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has said that Marcelo Bielsa will have taken Kalvin Phillips and Mateusz Klich off at half-time to save them with a busy festive period of games incoming.
He said that Bielsa would already have known the game against Man United was lost and both players are one booking away from a ban.
Many Leeds fans were surprised when the two players – so vital to the Bielsa system – were taken off with Leeds trailing 4-1 at Old Trafford after 45 minutes.
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News Robinson said, “None of the Leeds players were great, you could have pulled any of them off at half-time and no one would have complained.
“But, with the games coming up… Bielsa would have said to them at half-time, go and get a goal, you never know what might happen… but the game was over.
“With the amount of games coming up, I think he did a really sensible thing by taking them both off. Both players are on four yellow cards.
“He didn’t make the most attacking substitutions so I think he’d put that game to bed.
“If he’s chasing the game, Struijk and Shackleton aren’t the players I’d be bringing on to rescue the game.”
Phillips and Klich are one yellow away from a one-game ban and the amnesty for cards isn’t for another five games.
Both players are walking a tightrope and it’s another thing that Leeds fans will be looking out for over the festive period.
Hopefully, both players can avoid any more trouble in January.
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