Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CRY JANUARY
Is Bielsa’s high-pressure game backfiring again as Leeds run out of steam and threatens to derail their brilliant start to the campaign
NEW year, same old problem for Leeds.
Once more they have been hit by the January blues after sinking to a third straight defeat under Marcelo Bielsa.
So far 2021 has been one to forget for Leeds, who have not scored in successive defeats to Tottenham, Crawley (below) and Brighton, shipping seven goals. They lost five out of six 12 months ago, including three in a row, and three out of four a year before that.
Manager Bielsa admits he is concerned by this latest slump and this first half was the worst they have played in the Premier League this season.
“To have lost three games without scoring is not something that can happen without making me worry,” said Bielsa.
“Against Tottenham, even though we lost, it wasn’t a bad performance. But in the Cup and this one, we didn’t defend or attack well.
“We defended below our capabilities and attacked below our possibilities, and those factors generate worry.”
When Leeds have lost this season, they have been
defeated in firefights with better teams or when counterattacking sides have punished them on the break or from setpieces. But there was no swashbuckle against Brighton, just buckle, as they folded.
They managed just two shots on target and Angel Sanchez was untroubled in the Seagulls goal. Defensively they remain suspect and
Neal Maupay’s 17thminute winner was the 34th goal they have conceded in their 18 matches back in the Premier League.
Leeds lacked creativity, zip and cannot solve their problems by splashing out because none of their attacking midfielder targets are available in this transfer window.
Jack Harrison, just about the only Leeds player to
emerge with any credit, admitted they must create more.
“Brighton defended really well and made it difficult for us to play our usual game,” said the winger.
“We struggled to create chances and fair play to them, they played the game they wanted to play. Our style is usually attacking and creating as many chances as possible but we struggled to do that. They did their homework and studied how we play. It’s something we have to look back on, review it this week and be ready for the next game.”
The one positive for Leeds is Bielsa pulled them out of last January’s nosedive to canter to the Championship title. Crucially, Leeds do not play again until Tuesday next week at Newcastle, giving Bielsa precious time on the training ground to rediscover the team’s mojo.
Elland Road’s potato patch of a pitch, which will finally be relaid for the first time in 26 years this summer, did not help.
But it was the same for Brighton and they overcame the conditions to score from a fine passing move to record their first league win since
November 21.
Maupay’s simple finish was his seventh in the League and he is happy to carry the burden of being the
Seagulls’ main forward.
“It was a nice move from the team and an easy finish for me but as a striker you enjoy scoring any type of goal,” said the Frenchman (above left).
“When we work together like this, we know we’re a match for anyone in this league.”