Stat shows why current Leeds United squad is perfect throwback to the 90s
Leeds United have been branded ‘dirty’ by Football 365 as they have committed the most fouls in the Premier League this season.
The Whites find themselves last in the table – committing a colossal 486 fouls throughout the campaign.
After 32 games, that’s an average of almost 15 a game which is staggering given that they’ve spent most of the time in possession rather than out of it.
This could be down to Marcelo Bielsa as he’s prioritised pressing and man-to-man marking throughout his time at Leeds.
This means that the players throw themselves into tackles more often than not and there are occasions when they mistime them.
Surely, some of them must be tactical fouls and both Bielsa and Jesse Marsch will happily take them.
This is part and parcel of the game and it remains to be seen how the American sets his side up for next season.
This stat is also a perfect indication of what Leeds teams were known to be in the past.
Back then, players got away with a lot more than they do today and even then, the Whites had the reputation of being a dirty team.
They kept getting into tussles with opposition teams and formed rivalries out of nothing.
Elland Road loves to see the players on the edge and playing with their hearts on their sleeves.
If Marsch puts the defensive side of the game first, it may be hard to sell to the fans in case results are not going their way.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are leading the race to complete a major signing and have already opened talks to seal a £25m deal.