Gabby Agbonlahor destroys Marcelo Bielsa after Leeds United are thrashed at Liverpool, tips club for drop
Gabby Agbonlahor tore Marcelo Bielsa apart after Leeds United were hammered 6-0 at Liverpool and expects the manager to take them down.
The Whites lost their third game in a row in devastating fashion and now sit just three points about the relegation zone following Burnley’s win over Tottenham.
Speaking live on talkSPORT this morning (Thursday 24 February, 06.30am) the former Aston Villa striker said: “I’ve seen Sunday league managers that have better tactical awareness than Marcelo Bielsa.
“If I was a Leeds player I’d be on the phone to my agent after the game saying, ‘He’s killing us’. Honestly, I’m baffled by Leeds.
“His tactics are stubborn and they’re gonna get Leeds relegated.
“They’re in a relegation battle and I think Leeds United will go down.”
When host Ally McCoist suggested the injury situation in mitigation, Agbonlahor was unrepentant because the Argentine should have changed his tactics in response.
He said: “I think he wouldn’t mind Leeds getting relegated if he gets to play how he wants to play, he’s that stubborn.
“Is it bravery or is it stupidity?”
Home truths
Up until just a couple of weeks ago such talk would have seemed sensationalist.
But after a brutal run of results the Whites are now genuinely in the relegation battle.
For all the United boss has done for the club he has to take responsibility for a dreadful situation currently.
Of course the injuries have dealt him a bad hand this season but there comes a point where the steadfast adherence to his preferred methods are actively damaging the club’s chances.
What he has achieved at Elland Road over the last few seasons cannot be overlooked but he is currently in danger of undoing a lot of that good work.
Removing him now is not going to happen but he has to make adjustments to his strategy.
Simply setting his side up as normal and sending them out to the slaughter game after game will surely be having a devastating effect on player morale.
A loss at Anfield is not a major crime when Liverpool are so strong, but the manner of the 6-0 defeat, having conceded 10 times in the previous three is a big problem.
The fact that it seemed so inevitable speaks volumes and even if the club escapes relegation there may be a difficult decision on the horizon.
In other Leeds United news, Harry Kewell and Tim Sherwood had opposing views of a red card decision at Anfield.