Leeds United’s Pablo Hernandez was in front of the media on Wednesday and no doubt whilst it was build up to the game this weekend against Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road on Saturday, he made a huge play about the importance of manager Marcelo Bielsa and the impact he has had at the club since his arrival over the summer.
Despite it seeming like we are cursed on an injury front in the Championship campaign of 2018/19, Leeds are still flying his in the second tier table and there is every reason for the optimism that surrounds possible promotion this year back to the Premier League.
Hernandez isn’t the only player who Bielsa seems to have got an extra 10% out of in games so far this year, but the 33-year-old is certainly worthy of the plaudits that have gone his way – and yesterday he picked up his second PFA Championship Player of the Month gong as well for his efforts.
Leeds-Live carry his full quotes on the gaffer, but he put his current form down to one single decision.
“When I found out he was the new manager, I was very happy. Everybody respects him, he has had a very good career and everyone in the world of football speaks very highly of him. He is a special manager and a special man, he has come here to help the club improve and get back to the Premier League. I am very happy because I know with Marcelo, I have improved this year. I have gone back to my initial position as a right-winger rather than in the middle or on the left, so I am very happy with this.”
His words probably aren’t a surprise in reality, but Hernandez’s own belief that being played out of position did have an impact on his form caught my attention given how he’s been used previously and it just left me wondering what other ‘little’ tweaks have been made that have aided Bielsa’s success so far with those players whose strengths seem to more suit what’s being asked of them now.