Leeds United inspired by Marcelo Bielsa omen ahead of West Ham clash at London Stadium
Leeds United will take inspiration from Marcelo Bielsa when they return to the scene of his last victory as head coach at the club, as featured by Leeds Live.
Leeds will face West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday 21 May in what is effectively a must-win encounter if the club is to prolong its stay in the Premier League.
Current boss Sam Allardyce has just two remaining games in order to avoid relegation to the Championship, with the final game of the campaign on 28 May, against Tottenham Hotspur.
The date was 16 January 2022, one week after the same fixture, as featured in the report.
“There was a drab, all-Premier League FA Cup tie which the Hammers won before a seven-day turnaround which saw Jack Harrison deliver possibly his finest hour in Leeds colours,” it said.
“In what proved to be Marcelo Bielsa’s last victory as head coach, Harrison delivered a hat-trick which put United ahead on three occasions.
“West Ham went into the game on the back of three consecutive league victories and a league position of fourth with a little less than half of the campaign to play. Leeds were 16th at kick-off and came away with a priceless three points.
“United would go on to lose five of the next six games and see Bielsa sacked. The West Ham trip remains one of the few great results achieved last season, but especially for Harrison, who could do with channelling such influence again this weekend.”
Seize the moment
If a response was needed ahead of what turned out to be El Loco’s last victory, that sentiment is certainly more prevalent this weekend.
There is no hiding place, the only thing that matters is the points. The Whites could benefit from West Ham’s expected significant exertions on Thursday night when they face AZ Alkmaar for a place in the Europa Conference League final.
It could even be an understrength team that is fielded by David Moyes on Sunday but regardless of that, it is all about what is delivered by the Leeds players.
They should not need any motivation other than what is already clearly at stake. With just two fixtures remaining, the time is now for them to seize the moment, to give all with the aim of securing the club’s Premier League status.
The least that is required is to keep the mission alive for the last game of the campaign, at home to Spurs next week.
In other Leeds news, an update emerges on a reported Whites’ £300m legal threat as the push for a hearing fails, according to this report.