THE LEEDS OF DISCONTENT
First defeat is my fault admits Bielsa. No, it’s down to sloppy players says skipper Cooper
come out like that in the first 20 minutes is not good enough.
“You get punished for it and that’s what happened. I said to the lads that we don’t deserve anything from the game when we start like that.”
Blues striker Che Adams struck twice inside the first half hour and though Leeds’ rousing response after the break brought about Ezgjan Alioski’s goal five minutes from time, the rescue mission failed.
Cooper (below, with Adams) added: “We knew what we had to do. The manager, from the side, obviously sees it a different way and he put his ideas to us at half-time In the second half, it was more like us – the intensity was there, the creativity was there.
“We got the goal and you think, ‘Right, come on, let’s get another’, but it didn’t fall for us.”
Both Adams’ goals owed much to Leeds keeper Bailey Peacock-farrell’s failings. But Cooper said: “Bailey is a young keeper, he’s going to make mistakes.
“He has to expect these things are going to creep in every now and again and it’s all about the way he bounces back. He’s a strong lad, a great keeper and I’ve told him that.”
Monk revealed that a pep talk with Adams paid off. The Blues’ boss said: “I spoke to Che in the week. He’s at his best when there’s fire in his belly. He’s been too inconsistent. To fulfil his potential he needs that fire.”
Monk reckons Bielsa’s summer appointment points to the end of Leeds’ 15-season top-flight exile. He added: “It’s great for the club.
“They’ve brought in a high-calibre manager and the signs are this is the season for them.”