Was Bielsa award earned?

THE manager of the month awards are a pleasant aside which brighten up the game.

They should be taken as a bit of fun, even if they mean more to the individuals involved rather than to the clubs’ supporters.

However there is still some frustration attached to Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship managerial award.

Sure, Leeds have won four and drawn two of their six games and are top of the league on merit because they’ve got the best goal difference.

Yet there are other things to consider. The manager of the month award should be based on the best individual achievements.

Boro have an identical results record to Leeds, even though their goal difference is not as good.

But there was an obvious difference between the two sides in their head to head at Elland Road.

Leeds had been sweeping all before them in the Championship, but they were made to look completely ordinary by Boro.

Boro squeezed the lifeblood out of Bielsa’s side. In fact they frightened Leeds to death from set pieces and really should have scored the goal which would have earned them all three points.

If there was an independent tribunal which awarded an extra point to one of the teams involved in drawn games, then Boro would have got it.

A goalless draw it was, but in managerial terms it was Bielsa 0, Pulis 1.

Boro also did a great job in nullifying the threat of Leeds dangerman Kemar Roofe, who last week was a deserving winner of the Championship player of the month vote.

Teesside duo Tony Mowbray and Phil Parkinson were also in the running for the managerial award.

Mogga’s Blackburn side have hit the ground running in the Championship with their five match unbeaten start, while Parkinson’s Bolton are markedly improved on last season.

But Tony Pulis is the manager of the month for me.