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Bielsa is failing to learn from his mistakes, it could cost him promotion and his job – Opinion

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Please note before you read this, this is not a ‘Bielsa out’ article.

Whilst I have been fairly critical of him in the past, I don’t think he should be sacked, or at least, not for the time being. He did a fine job last year, taking Leeds from 13th to 3rd, and the football he’s brought to Elland Road has been very pleasing on the eye. I just think some of his decisions need to be scrutinised, otherwise we’re going to find ourselves following him like sheep and bad things will just be brushed under the carpet. OK? We clear?

As was reported a few days ago, Leeds are apparently ‘all but done’ when it comes to the summer transfer window. Who is left for United to target this summer? Well according to LeedsLive, the one remaining man on their radar is Liverpool winger Ryan Kent.

If this final target had been a new centre-back, like Cameron Carter-Vickers who I’m a big fan of, then I’d be approaching the stage where I could forgive Bielsa for finally making the right call. If stories are to be believed that this is how he club intends to attack the last few days of the window, however, then there must be some serious questions asked, because quite frankly it wreaks of stubbornness.

Bielsa has mentioned in the past that he likes to carry a thin squad, but has he not learned with what happened last year? The amount of injuries that come with playing a 46 game schedule, plus any cup competitions, means you need a big squad to compete and they are going into this season woefully underprepared.

Where was the season lost? April. At the business end when players were tired from playing too many games and players were suffering from injuries, most notably top scorer Kemar Roofe.

Whilst the club may be sufficient in attack, just why is the club going into the season with so few centre-backs? I know that it’s something that I’ve been banging on about a lot these past few weeks, but it’s mainly because you fans have been so vocal about it as well.

I know that there are people who can play multiple positions, and whilst it’s good to have utility players at your disposal, you shouldn’t be relying on them to fill out the squad. Take for instance Kalvin Phillips, who has filled in at centre-back a couple of times. Phillips as a defensive midfielder was crucial to how Leeds played last year, and if you force him to play centre-back because you thought you had enough there to start the season and it ends up backfiring, there can be no bigger wakeup call.

‘In Bielsa We Trust’ became a bit of a catchphrase towards the end of last season, but at the moment, it’s getting very hard to trust him. There’s only so much credit that last season’s performances can give you, we need to see an improvement this season. The board are expecting promotion, and if he doesn’t deliver it, then I’ll be calling for Bielsa to go, and the board may be forced to do so as well.

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