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“It Doesn’t Make Me A Cheat…It’s A Significant Win” – Bielsa’s Almost Defiant But Not Quite Apologetic

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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa went in search of a first win in the last three matches (all competitions) as we welcomed Frank Lampard’s Derby County side to Elland Road earlier this evening.

With the game having extra flavour given the ongoing row about etiquette in the game as Bielsa admitted he had instructed a member of staff to watch their training session ahead of the game, the 90 minutes from a press perspective were irrelevant.

With Leeds fans making the most of ‘spygate’ with a few chants, banners and binocular hand gestures, Bielsa’s side proved there was no real reason to spy on Frank Lampard’s side as a pathetic performance from them, saw us take charge from minute one and goals from Kemar Roofe and Jack Harrison in each half gave us a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Speaking to the BBC following the fulltime whistle, the gaffer said of the 90 minutes.

“If you take into account the quality of the opponent and the fact we lost the past two Championship games it is a very significant win. Jack Clarke played a high level in a difficult game. We had to defend every well and this made it easier.”

Good to see him pick out Clarke, but most fans will probably be more interested in his post-game words about ‘spygate’.

“It’s not that I don’t understand the situation. If in English football this is unacceptable behaviour, I have to accept it because I work here. But it doesn’t make me a person that is a cheat.”

Asked if he would do it again.

“I think I have expressed myself and you have to make your own conclusions.”

Even with the caveat that it’s not technically wrong, it just feels wrong, the fact he still won’t specifically apologise for using public ground will only gain him more supporters in the fanbase given his clear will to win.

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