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Tony Pulis delivers verdict on Leeds, gushes over Elland Rd man
Former Stoke and West Brom manager Tony Pulis has been waxing lyrical about Leeds United for the way they’ve started life back in the Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side made mincemeat of the Championship last season and have kicked off their first season back in the big-time in very good form too.
Up next for Leeds is a clash against Leicester at Elland Road and ahead of that match, Pulis has been talking about how impressed he’s been by the Yorkshire giants and the work their manager has done.
“The great thing about Leeds United, without a question of a doubt is the way they’ve approached games,” Pulis told Sky Sports, as transcribed by LeedsLive.
“They’ve had no inhibitions whatsoever. He’s got a way of playing and a system of playing. They run forward quickly and I tell you what, they run back just as quick. They’re looking to penetrate all of the time. They get runners, they get set-ups and when they do get it in that final third, they fill the box. I think it’s refreshing, it’s lovely to watch.
“I don’t think they play backwards, square, sideways. They play forward when they can. He works non-stop on it. He gets the lads as fit as fleas. I think they’ve got the best running stats in the Premier League so far. They’ve got a system. He’s got a way of playing.
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“It’s lovely to watch and I really, really enjoy it. You have teams that you watch, you can’t work out what they’re trying to do. Leeds United have an identity. You can see it in them. The belief that they have at the moment is absolutely first class.”
Unless you’re Gabriel Agbonlahor, everyone knows that Bielsa is one of the best managers in the Premier League and easily one of the best at improving individual players.
Just look at the squad of players he has right now and how many of them were at Elland Road before he arrived.
Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Ezgjan Alioski and Pablo Hernandez were all just average, mid-table Championship players before Bielsa’s arrival and now, none of those look out of place in the Premier League.
Of course, Bielsa has added some players to really lift the quality of the squad.
Ben White, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Jack Harrison, Helder Costa, Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford are among some of the biggest signings made at Elland Road with Bielsa in charge.
Other than the ones who’ve just arrived in the most recent transfer window, there’s been a massive improvement from all of them.
In other Leeds United news, Michael Owen has predicted Leeds’ clash against Leicester.