Bielsa raises bucket load of questions

IT was a throwback a few weeks ago when I covered Newcastle’s game at Elland Road.

A proper old-school ground with proper old-school supporters – warts and all – none of this sanitised rubbish the modern punter is weaned on.

There was a good atmosphere for the game against the Geordies and the temperature will be raised for Manchester United’s visit today.

However, it is such a unique experience because Leeds’ fans have bought into Marcelo Bielsa (below) and his methods.

For us neutrals, it’s just a great watch. There is no compromise. This is how the Argentine plays and that’s it.

But it is to be wondered now, three months from the season’s end, what the powersthat-be are going to do if Bielsa decides his time is up.

They have a specific group of players schooled in playing one way. That’s not to say it can’t be changed but how is director of football Victor Orta going to marry up all these component parts?

Is he going to find a manager who can play with this group in this fashion? Or, if it’s changed, what players does the club need to suit the new style? What kind of philosophy does the incoming manager favour? Then it needs a buy-in from the fans.

Those are questions for somewhere down the line – but they’ll have to be considered at some point.

EVEN with a load of cash behind them, Newcastle United can’t catch a break.

Three wins on the spin, a newfound spirit starting to emerge, fostering a genuine belief they can escape the bottom three.

And what happens?

Their most influential import, defender Kieran Trippier (below), picks up a bad injury and could be out until the end of the season.

It happens, obviously. But at some clubs it seems to happen all the time – it’s difficult to escape the conclusion that

Newcastle are one of those clubs, I’m afraid.