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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Marcelo Bielsa attracted widespread criticism from Leeds fans at the weekend.
Considering the way he’s taken Leeds to a new level in the Championship it was perhaps somewhat of an overreaction.
But there is an argument to be had in terms of his team selection.
At the moment, it’s proving questionable and the way he’s set up his team has led to late exploitation and also a lack of goals.
In matches against Swansea and Derby, they had over 60% of the possession but only scored once and took just a solitary point from those clashes.
So what can Leeds do?
On the chalkboard
At the moment Bielsa’s tactical ignorance is proving to be a real issue for Leeds. He keeps on relying on Jack Harrison, someone who hasn’t contributed to a goal since the opening weekend, while Patrick Bamford has now gone goalless in three games.
The calls, certainly from supporters, is for Eddie Nketiah and Helder Costa to start but possibly a system change is needed.
After all, arguably Leeds’ best performance in the league this season came when operating with three at the back.
Against Stoke last month the Whites recorded a 3-0 victory as they amassed 64.5% of the possession away from home.
It was as complete a performance as you can get on the road as Bielsa’s much-teased two man attack was in operation.
On the day, Harrison and Bamford were the men tasked with leading the line as a pairing but with Nketiah now so close to gaining a chance, perhaps this is how the Argentine can work him into his system.
It’s particularly confusing that the 64-year-old has neglected this formation since the win over Stoke.
Leeds are struggling to get over the line but even if a 4-1-4-1 is his preferred way to go, he shouldn’t be against change.
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The Whites’ brightest spell against Brentford came when they switched to a three-man defence as Nketiah popped up with a late winner.
It allowed greater protection for their attacking full-backs in Stuart Dallas and Gjanni Alioski as well, who both scored against Stoke.
In that 3-4-1-2 system they deployed at the Potteries, Leeds looked confident in defence but also going forward.
That was certainly not the case versus the Rams, especially late on when they conceded three of Derby’s five efforts on goal in the final 15 minutes.
Ignorance is sometimes bliss but perhaps Bielsa ought to look at something that has already treated Leeds so well in 2019/20, rather than a system that’s causing difficulties.