Leeds United fans have been having their say on social media after Jack Harrison suggested the Whites are doing so well because Marcelo Bielsa is keeping a close-knit group at Elland Road.
In the January window, the only man to join the club was Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, albeit not through a lack of effort trying to sign Daniel James, but the togetherness the squad has is proving to be influential for Harrison, who has been speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The midfielder noted: “We knew this had to be a big performance [against Swansea], everyone had to be on their game. It’s a nice relief to go into this break with a win and the chance to build off that performance.
“Tough times like the end of the Swansea game are when we need to stick together and see it out. We’re able to do that because we’re so close-knit as a team. It’s really important and we’ve been like that since the start of the season.“
Since the campaign kicked off, Bielsa has called on 27 players in some capacity, although players like Ryan Edmondson and Jordan Stevens have only featured for short spells as late substitutes, while Harrison himself had been in and out of the side much of the term before his form picked up and he become a key man.
The winger’s future is not yet confirmed, either, and will likely return to Manchester City when his loan-spell ends, but the 22-year-old’s words have fans talking…
I like Harrison me, had his doubters but seems to be getting better by the game – at the right time of the season aswell!
— Matty Smith (@QueenSmudger) February 15, 2019
Bielsa strategy of small squad breeds togetherness & as business-end of the season approaches key injuries being overcome at exactly the right time. This with an easier run of games to finish. It’s all going our way. #positive
— WotzThatSound (@WotzThatSound) February 15, 2019
And this is why we didnt go signing loads in thw transfer window.
You can galvanize a small squad and get everyone working together.
You bring in loads of players like the likes of other teams in the division and it can result in unsettled squad etc.
— Belsom4 (@belsom04) February 15, 2019
Yes we’re top. No I will never complain. Yes we outplayed and outclassed Swansea. But we need to go on a run of confident displays to show that edge exists.
— Martyn On Together (@MartynOnTogethe) February 15, 2019
I agree, Brown is a premier league player without a doubt. Harrison I’m not so sure but if he keeps improving game by game who knows ????????♂️
— Danny (@Danny96328777) February 15, 2019
Hope he stays I think he’s definitely getting better under Bielsa
— Llewellyn (@LewLUFCforlife) February 15, 2019
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Brown and Harrison join permanently in the summer. If their clubs agree of course.
— david_cusworth (@MrDavidCusworth) February 15, 2019
Look at Fulham. Replacing your whole team isn’t the way to go. Yes add qulaity additions, buy keeping the core of a team is important should we go up.
— JB (@Billys_Cakehole) February 15, 2019