Leeds fans react as Bielsa explains Phillips omission from crucial 2-0 loss to Brentford

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Marcelo Bielsa explained his reasons behind leaving Kalvin Phillips out of the Leeds United side that was beaten 2-0 by Brentford yesterday, as per the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Adam Forshaw came into the side but the Whites were unable to recover from Good Friday’s 2-1 defeat to Wigan, slipping to another defeat which all but ends their automatic promotion hopes.

Bielsa said: “Phillips gives us a physical, defensive presence in midfield. When the opponent has a creative playmaker with the number nine, or two number nines, Phillips’ influence increases.

“In a game like this (Brentford) where the number nine played alone and was helped by two wingers, I took the decision to put in Adam Forshaw because he moves more with the ball. He’s more dynamic. His features suit this kind of game more.

“That doesn’t mean Kalvin Phillips couldn’t have played in a game like this and it doesn’t mean Adam Forshaw can’t play against two number nines. But in the second half of the game against Wigan, Forshaw’s performance convinced me and I decided to put him in.”

Bielsa’s management has been the factor that has lifted Leeds this season but many supporters on Twitter felt he got this one wrong, in the wake of such an important defeat.

They are beginning to lose a bit of patience and hope as the play-offs beckon and we’ve put together some of the best reaction in the aftermath of the match in west London…

https://twitter.com/wayneleedsfan/status/1120615292969918466

https://twitter.com/JtotheRain/status/1120603915685380102

https://twitter.com/biteyourlegs/status/1120604113773920257

https://twitter.com/DoctorT1992/status/1120604735478874112

https://twitter.com/SupremeJansson/status/1120604778814427136