‘No hiding place’ – Prutton claims ‘blunt’ Bielsa could swing axe during Leeds promotion push
David Prutton has claimed that Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa will not be afraid to drop players who do not meet his high fitness standards during the Championship run-in.
The Whites have not played a competitive fixture since the 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on March 7th, but have resumed training ahead of the expected resumption of action in the second tier later this month.
And while Prutton has pointed out that Leeds have become renowned for their impressive fitness levels during the Argentine’s tenure at Elland Road, he has also suggested that the 64-year-old will not be afraid to swing the axe if he needs to over the coming weeks.
Writing in a column for the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: “The fact that Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has his squad extremely fit is well documented and if they have got that fitness in the bank then that’s obviously a positive though I always think maintaining that fitness when you are not playing is always easier said then done.
“You would like to think that the base fitness that Marcelo has given them over the course of 18 months to nearly two years now is there, but the proof will be in the pudding.
“United’s group seem like they are a responsible group of players who have taken the fitness side of it very seriously because from experience of pre-seasons and trying to get back to fitness there is absolutely no hiding place.
“If you are not fit enough, you can’t fake being fit and you can’t fake passing fitness tests. You can either do it or you can’t and I presume that the ones that can’t do it Marcelo won’t use. He seems as blunt as that.”
Prutton isn’t the only pundit to have highlighted the importance of Leeds United’s fitness over the course of the Championship run-in.
Sue Smith has argued that the impact of playing well into summer and the hot weather that will likely bring could also cause issues for the Whites and their high-intensity style of play.
But we all know by now just how meticulous Bielsa is, and just how much he demands from his players.
If there is one manager in the division you would trust to have his side whipped back into shape in time for the return of the Championship in the coming weeks, it would have to be the Argentine.
Hopefully, that should be enough to see us into the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Have to adapt’ – Smith claims ‘tough’ factor could impact Leeds during Ch’ship run-in.