Spymaster Wilko took us to glory... Bielsa will follow
LEE CHAPMAN believes Leeds are going up under scheming Marcelo Bielsa – but claims the original ‘spymaster’ was Howard Wilkinson, 30 years ago.
Bielsa caused a huge storm last season when he sent an intern to watch Derby train, landing Leeds with a £200,000 fine from the EFL as punishment.
Yet Chapman, whose goals helped the Yorkshire giants to promotion in 1990 and the First Division title two years later, says similarly cunning tactics were the norm under ‘Sergeant Wilko’.
Chapman, 60, said: “People talk about Bielsa now but Howard would send scouts everywhere to watch upcoming opponents and compile incredibly detailed reports on them.
“I used to dread some of our weekly team meetings to discuss the upcoming opposition as Howard would walk in with detailed 20-30 page dossiers which had been prepared by his scouts!
“He would then get us to watch videos of the opposition and was very big on his statistics – he was one of the very first managers to do that.
“These meetings were never quick, believe me.
“That was unheard of then, but Howard was doing these kind of things three decades ago and what we achieved at Leeds under him was incredible.
“The 1992 title success was the highlight of my career because it’s what you grow up dreaming about, especially as a striker.”
When football was suspended in March, Bielsa and Leeds were a point clear at the top of the Championship, and seven clear of third.
Chapman added: “Unfortunately Leeds blew it last year when Bielsa over-trained them.
“That’s what my friends up in Leeds tell me. Bielsa didn’t realise how tough the Championship is – and I think they burnt out towards the end.
“I’m told Bielsa has learnt from that and they have had a break now anyway, so Leeds are well placed to secure promotion when the season restarts. I’d love them to get up and start winning things again.”