There are several factors behind Leeds’ success this year, but Phil Hay has picked out one aspect of the squad that perhaps gets overlooked a little too often.
We have been brilliant to watch and difficult to beat for almost two years now under Marcelo Bielsa, and there is little doubt that his standards and practices have transformed the club.
The belief he has in his own management and tactics has translated into the players and we are all the better for it, but even the Argentine is reliant – to some extent – on the players at his disposal.
While he can improve ability, as best evidenced through the progression of Jack Harrison and Kalvin Phillips, who have recorded respective Whoscored average ratings of 7.04 and 7.2 this season, Bielsa is limited when it comes to mental attributes such as leadership and character.
Who should be named Player of the Year?
Ben White
Kalvin Phillips
Stuart Dallas
Jack Harrison
Luckily for him, and us, there are players with such characteristics in the squad. Hay has recognised that fact, and praised those who are responsible for instilling the right winning mindset in the rest of the players.
In a recent Q&A for The Athletic, the journalist responded to one fan who commented on the role of Liam Cooper. Hay said:
“The core of Dallas, Cooper, Ayling etc have it under control and I’m never aware of any prima donnas in there. Cooper’s a very good captain.
“Does a lot behind the scenes which never gets seen. I was told a while back that whenever someone signs, the first WhatsApp they get is from Cooper.”
That shows the lengths the skipper goes to in order to make sure everyone is welcome and there is a harmonious feel in the camp.
Strong team spirit is integral to any promotion campaign, particularly when a team experiences downs as we have – having gone through a sticky patch of just one win in eight at the start of 2020.
It was performances from the likes of Luke Ayling and Cooper that pulled us through. We ended that run by winning five on the bounce without conceding – showing that pair have been as important for their defensive attributes as well as the encouragement they give their teammates.
Let’s hope the camaraderie and high morale continues into next year, regardless of the outcome of this season, as it has been a driving factor behind our league position over the last two years.