Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after Pontus Jansson had to clarify his own comments regarding Marcelo Bielsa and the Argentine’s tactics.
Jansson tweeted on Tuesday clarifying comments he had made on a Swedish podcast, where he claimed to sometimes feel tired heading into games due to how intense Bielsa makes training.
The centre-back had been speaking on Fotbolls Experterna, where he said: “The worst thing for us is that you can sometimes feel tired before the match because we have it so intense.
“He has a philosophy that if you are tired, then you should train even harder to make it better.
“On Wednesday we have something called ‘killer ball’. It is football eleven against eleven, but it is only to run as much as possible, even for me who is a central defender.”
The timing of the comments may not have been the best, given that the podcast went out after Leeds had lost to Norwich City 3-1, and in doing so slipped behind the Canaries on goal difference at the top of the Championship.
Jansson, though, wished to clarify his comments in the immediate aftermath of their publication, and tweeted suggesting his claims were said with a hint of Irony and that Bielsa is one of the best managers in the world.
I did a podcast in Sweden about some of the work we are doing with Bielsa and i name him one of the best in the world and everything he done for us is just amazing so dont think anything else. Sometimes a say things with a bit of irony so don’t take every word to serious! https://t.co/SitG9bl81b
— Pontus Jansson (@PJansson5) February 5, 2019
With everything taken into account, the Elland Road faithful let Jansson know what they thought…
Jansson son we have played some fantastic football this season & that is down to everyone at the club. Stay strong, keep working, we only have 16 finals left. Every single Leeds supporter is behind you, the lads, Bielsa & his coaching staff. #ALAW #MOT
— Adam Ross (@rossi_on) February 5, 2019
Keep going Pontus, no pain no gain as they say, just think of the well earned rest at the end of the season and the buzz if you all get us promoted, we are at the business end now, about grit and determination to succeed. Best of luck for the rest of the season
— Bielsabub ???????? (@scotttownend2) February 5, 2019
Very good and timely reply. Now for 3pts on Saturday at Boro. MOT.
— In Spyte of it All ???????? (@aclr1972) February 5, 2019
Bielsa has made the fan’s dream.
— SAMUEL ???????????????? (@Murray__87) February 5, 2019
Keep the focus on the matches Pontus. 16 to go. Keep the lads spirits up and we’ll dominate again
— Jonathon Sloan (@JSloan1995) February 5, 2019
Whole team looked tired before last game. That or the occasion got to you all. Big defeat but we all remain behind you right to the death. Time to bounce back and break out of this bad form. Let the rest talk, let’s do our talking through fighting for everything on the pitch.
— Matt J-D (@MattJLufc) February 5, 2019
Quashed very quickly. Fair play, Pontus ????????
— Ashley Oakes (@Oakes_89) February 5, 2019
Just go and win the title for us Pontus. We can do this ALAW
— Adam Green (@AdamGreen0823) February 5, 2019
We’re joint top. His methods are working.
— Lord Bielsa (@LordBielsa) February 5, 2019
We’ve also hit a bad run of form, the negative side of his methods potentially showing
— Tyler (@LUFCTy) February 5, 2019
Never doubted you Pontus! MOT……
— robb leatham (@aslt4g) February 5, 2019