Bielsa must cure January Leeds blues
NEW year, same old problem for Leeds after sinking to a third straight loss under Marcelo Bielsa.
They have now failed to score in defeats to Spurs, Crawley and Brighton, shipping seven goals.
Starting the new year badly is a recurring problem for Leeds – they lost five out of six 12 months ago, including three in a row, and three out of four two years ago.
Boss Bielsa admits he is worried by this latest slump and their first half was the worst they have played in the Premier League this season.
When Leeds have lost this season they have been defeated in firefights with better teams or when counter-attacking sides have punished them on the break or from set-pieces.
But there was no swashbuckle against Brighton, just buckle as they folded. They managed just two shots on target.
Defensively they remain suspect and Neal Maupay’s 16th-minute winner was the 34th goal they have shipped in their 18 league games.
Jack Harrison, just about the only Leeds player to emerge with any credit, admitted they must create more. He said: “Brighton defended really well and made it difficult for us to play our usual game.
“We struggled to create chances and fair play to them, they played the game they wanted to play and made it hard for us.
“Our style of play is usually attacking and creating as many chances as possible and we struggled to do that.
“They obviously did their homework and studied how we play. It’s something we have to review 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.
Leeds do not play again until a week tomorrow at Newcastle, giving Bielsa 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 said: “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. This season has been hard for me at times but I have just kept working hard.
“When we work together like this we know we’re a match for anyone in this league.”