Cooper sick of ‘cheats’ claims
LIAM COOPER believes Leeds deserve to be top of the Championship – and it has nothing to do with Marcelo Bielsa’s spying.
Skipper Cooper is sick of hearing the promotion-chasers have cheated their way to a four-point lead.
After being caught spying on Derby last week, Bielsa confessed to snooping on every single one of Leeds’ rivals this season in an impromptu press conference.
But Cooper said: “The league speaks for itself, the league doesn’t lie.
“We’ve won the most games and I think we’ve lost the least.
“I’m sick of hearing all about that now. We’ve got a big game to worry about at Stoke on Saturday when we can take one more step in the right direction.
“All this is put to bed for the players. It’s all over with. That’s why Marcelo did the press conference.”
Cooper insists the dressing room is behind Bielsa, who is under investigation from the FA and the EFL.
The defender says Bielsa is the reason why a squad which finished mid-table last season is now powering towards the Premier League.
Cooper said: “He is the difference. It’s the same group of players being coached by one of the best coaches in the world. He’s an unbelievable man and a very nice man. He’s very good for the boys.”
Bielsa claims the row has become a distraction for his side and is keen to get back to matters on the pitch.
The Argentinian, 63, said: “What happened in the last few days was something complex and the focus was put on that and not the football.”
There was some good news yesterday after Leeds landed Spanish goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, 32, from Real Madrid on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
“The fact that a keeper from Real Madrid comes to Leeds, the owner of the club should be proud of being able to attract this player,” said Bielsa. “He’s a complete player.”