Hendrie: We must add depth
JOHN HENDRIE is praying that tomorrow night’s clash between Arsenal and Leeds will herald regular games between the two former foes.
Since 2004, Leeds have lost their place amongst the elite but they visit the Emirates with a nine-point cushion along with West Brom ahead of the chasing Championship pack.
Former striker Hendrie, now a match-day host at Elland Road, doesn’t believe there will be any repeat of last season’s dramatic fade out which led to Marcelo Bielsa’s side missing out on their long awaited return to the Premier League.
But the Scot also believes that the January transfer window is far more important this time around than the FA Cup.
“What cost them in my view last season was the January window. All they brought in was the keeper Kiko Casilla,”he said.
Intensity
“Their rivals like Sheffield United invested in a few players and ultimately that got them over the line.
“Leeds play at a high intensity. You could see even before the play-off games against Derby which they lost, that the players were on their last legs.
“One or two extra bodies would have helped them tremendously.”
Already two of their loan players, Eddie Nketiah and Jack Clarke have returned to Arsenal and Spurs respectively although
Leeds have been linked with Southampton striker Che Adams.
Everything, insists Hendrie, is in place for Premier League football at Elland Road – especially with Bielsa at the helm.
“He has done a magnificent job. There is a 35,000 sell out for every home game and that’s down to the exciting brand of football,”added Hendrie.
“Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola both look up to him as their mentor. That speaks for itself and I was surprised some of the big clubs haven’t come in for him.”