AYEW: I’M NOT SWANNING OFF
Bielsa warns against complacency
vChampionship: 3pm
MARCELO BIELSA has told his Leeds players they cannot afford to ease off in the race for automatic promotion.
Bielsa was annoyed that they blew a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Cardiff last Saturday and drop two points.
United are still second, 10 points clear of third place, but Bielsa insists they cannot let up.
They face play-off contenders Fulham at Craven Cottage today, and Leeds head coach Bielsa said: “What we have to do is to try to increase this gap.
“We lost two points that we should have won against Cardiff. But we have is maximum ambition, we want to win every game.”
Fulham have been erratic under manager Scott Parker and after reeling off four straight wins, they have lost their last three.
Bielsa likes their style of football and says they are similar to Leeds.
He wants his men to be switched on today, in order to avoid a repeat of last Saturday’s collapse.
The result was particularly galling because Cardiff bagged their late equaliser after skipper Sean Morrison had been sent off.
“Fulham are a similar team as us,” said Bielsa.
“The values we had last season are their values they have in this season.
“When I talk about values I talk about possession, chances, quantity of shooting. They are one of the best teams in the Championship and for us this match is a great challenge for us. We will need to attack well against a great opponent.”
Fulham right-back Cyrus Christie is backing his side to bounce back today – and believes victory can turn their season around.
The Cottagers have slipped to sixth following their recent poor form .
They are already 12 points behind second-placed Leeds but Christie is refusing to give up on catching them.
The Republic of Ireland star said: “They’re full of confidence while we’re probably low on the confidence side on the back of these results.
“But this is where we have got to stand up and be counted, and show true character to get through the game.
“If we play how we know we can, there’s no reason we can’t get the win.
“After four wins on the bounce we are now on a bad run, so if we can go out there and put on a performance against Leeds and get the win then it’s definitely another momentum starter and confidence boost for the lads.”
Christie (left) hailed Bielsa’s leadership of the Yorkshire club.
The ex-Derby man said: “I know a few of the lads who have played under him at Leeds and they said he was really good to work for. “He has implemented his style and we’ve got to match it, we’ve got be better than them, and I’m sure we can. “Clearly they’re all buying into it and it’s working for them as they’re up in the top two – and I’m sure they’re going to be in and around it come the end of the season.”
vChampionship: 3pm
ANDRE AYEW has promised Swansea’s young guns he will not abandon them for the Premier League.
City are braced for bids next month for their star man, who has scored nine goals ahead of today’s visit to Luton.
But the 30-year-old insists he is not ready to leave the Liberty Stadium and those players who look to him for guidance, even if top-flight clubs call.
“I’m not thinking at all about January,” said Ayew (above). “My mind is 100 per cent here, thinking about the next game.
“When to get to a certain stage and age, then you need to take responsibility – on and off the pitch, so I try to use it to help the young players.”