With Spygate rumbling on in the world of Leeds United following manager Marcelo Bielsa’s absolute masterclass to journalists on Wednesday evening, Thursday’s press conference went off without much of a hitch as questions were focused on our upcoming game against Stoke City on Saturday.
It’s difficult to not think that Bielsa had a bit of fun though as he once again took the opportunity to effectively announce his starting XI for the game, way ahead of the normal practice of only revealing a side an hour prior to kickoff.
It’s not like he even hinted as he met with the media, he left them in no doubt whatsoever that the squad would be identical to the one that demolished Derby County in our last game.
With the club announcing the signing of Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla that day, Bielsa confirmed that he would be given time to settle in and was out of contention to make his debut this weekend, so with Bailey Peacock-Farrell confirmed as being between the sticks, he confirmed the remaining ten.
Casilla won't start on Saturday. Bielsa has named his line-up again: it's unchanged from the win over Derby County. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) January 17, 2019
Given the furore about ‘knowing’ certain things ahead of a game, the timing of this and the blunt throwing it out there in advance has just warmed him to the hearts of Leeds fans even more.
Don’t need to spy on us, we’ll just tell you, genius
— james (@james_h00l) January 17, 2019
@stokecity Bielsa is doing the spying for you. 'Here's our XI' #lufc
— Marshmello Bielsa ???????? (@benphelps17) January 17, 2019
Self belief and honesty
— Benny Boy Scott (@benscott80) January 17, 2019
And other managers moan at Bielsa. We give our line ups out 2 days in advance ????
— Liam Fernandez (@liam69ers) January 17, 2019
How very transparent of him ???????? #LUFC ????????
— mozzie (@mozzie33) January 17, 2019
Stoke have the advantage of knowing our line up before the game. Dock them points.
— Ethan Norfolk (@EN_Bull) January 17, 2019