For decades now, Leeds has always been branded ‘Dirty Leeds’. Many will know this to be because of the so-called dirty football they used to play under Don Revie.
Unsurprisingly, Leeds fans take the name with pride, often singing it at games. Marcelo Bielsa, however, has us playing supreme football that is taking the name away. Thankfully, I’m confident a season or two of what is being referred to as ‘Bielsaball’ will not take the Dirty Leeds title away.
Saturday saw Leeds ease through Norwich with a 3-0 win at Carrow Road. I must admit I was terrified beforehand with Norwich turning their changing rooms pink. You read that right. This was a genuine attempt at lowering the opposing team’s testosterone. Such technique has been played down by Norwich manager Daniel Farke.
It definitely could not have had any effect. Especially when Berardi looked like he wanted to have a scrap when he celebrated a goal.
Continuing his fine form like a 2005 prime Zidane is Mateusz Klich. Klich provided another fine finish and has even earned a Poland call-up for the first time in four years.
Things really have changed for the Pole at Elland Road and he is playing a real pivotal part in the team.
Klich has already played more minutes this season than the whole of last. Okay, so maybe the comparisons to Zidane are stretching. In which case I won’t start talking about how Pablo Hernandez taught David Silva everything he knows.
While we are on that subject though, what a performance from the Spanish maestro.
Bielsa commented after that Pablo is “one of the best” that he has coached. That says a lot for a man who has managed Argentina, Chile and Athletic Bilbao.
Marcelo also responded to a question asking whether he’s improved Hernandez saying: “He makes me a better coach.”
“He has an influence, he intervenes in very small spaces and he makes the play of his team-mates a lot easier. He really is a player that improves his team-mates.”
Whatever we paid for Pablo was nowhere near enough and deserves the keys to the city if we go up.
Nonetheless, 13 points from 15 and Leeds are top. Next up is two games in four days. Preston in the cup then Middlesbrough Friday in the league.
Preston will be another good chance to change it around. This literally includes playing a £7 million striker that is still being kept out the team by Kemar Roofe.
Friday is a big game with Boro second and level on points. More importantly that it’s their cup final due to their weird obsession with us.
What is incredible from Bielsa is the sheer calmness in him. Every single interview they try to get something out of him regarding promotion. Every single response plays it down.
He knows what he wants. So far he is getting it. I disagree with his view that we don’t need another centre back. Right now, however, I would quite literally go along with anything he says.
Are Leeds fans getting ahead of themselves? Yes, we 100% are. Why? Probably because of the absolute monstrosity of football we have witnessed for years. Sorry everyone, but as long as we are winning, we will be an absolute torrid bunch to listen to. Not that we aren’t already of course.
