Andy Townsend makes big claim about Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa, but he has got it all wrong

Add as preferred source on Google

Andy Townsend has told TalkSPORT that Leeds United’s supporters may begin to lose patience with Marcelo Bielsa if his style of football at Elland Road fails to keep the club away from a Premier League relegation dogfight.

Leeds have nabbed 10 points from their first eight Premier League games, after Argentine Bielsa secured promotion to the Premier League – the first time Leeds have returned to the top tier since relegation in 2004.

The Whites had made their mark after eye-catching performances against Liverpool, Manchester City and then an excellent 3-0 away win over Aston Villa. But their last two matches have seen Leeds battered 4-1 on both occasions.

Townsend has questioned whether Leeds fans would have the patience with Bielsa’s style of football – the one that has got them promoted and made supporters fall in love with the Argentine – if relegation became a possibility.

“They will come to a cross roads, when you’re playing in a style that isn’t happening, Leeds are not anywhere near that, there not at a cross roads where they will start ripping up what they do,” Townsend said.

“I worry a little bit if they blindly think, we can win games 4-3 if we want to. It is why Guardiola and Pochettino love him. I wonder how long Leeds fans will think this is the right way, if their Premier League status became debatable.”

TBR’s view – Townsend has got it all wrong

Townsend’s claim is not far-fetched, it is certainly one that has happened in the past with other clubs. A certain style has seen fans of a club lose patience, when they are close to the relegation zone.

But at Leeds, it is different. Not only has Bielsa become the darling of Leeds, but his style of play has made Bielsa one of the biggest innovators in world football. If Leeds were in a relegation dog fight, faith would still be with Bielsa.

To Leeds fans, Bielsa is a God and the supporters are his disciples. Leeds will always believe in Bielsa, no matter what the result, the position in the table, relegation or survival.