Past Den losses are just history

LEEDS skipper Liam Cooper claims they are ignoring history for the toughest test yet of their promotion credentials at Millwall this afternoon.

The Whites never recovered from a bruising loss at the New Den 12 months ago when they were top of the Championship and unbeaten in their first seven games.

That was one of seven defeats in their last eight matches at Millwall.

Cooper insists Marcelo Bielsa’s league leaders will not be burdened by that awful record today.

“The experience of last year will pull the lads through,” said the defender. “We are professional enough to get over it and we will play our game.

“It’s another game of football. It has its history, but it doesn’t affect me.

“We know what we need to do – we need to win the personal battles. We can beat anyone in this league.

“We know our jobs and we know we will get a positive result.”

Rather than worry about the past, Cooper says Leeds are firmly focused on the present and their stunning revival under Bielsa (above).

Cooper puts their success down to the Argentinian’s boot camp.

“We’ve got really fit,” he said. “Two or three sessions a day in pre-season have put us in really good stead. It’s the fittest we’ve ever been. It’s a great trait to have.

“He also pays great attention to detail. Managers in the past have let certain players get away with stuff, but we all know where we stand now.

“We have a lot of respect for him and we trust what he’s telling us. And we’re reaping the rewards of that.”