Has Marcelo Bielsa rediscovered his best starting XI?

After a troubling couple of months injury wise is Marcelo Bielsa finally able to pick our best starting eleven again? On the 21st December against Fulham Leeds lined-up; Casilla, Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Costa, Klich, Hernandez, Harrison, Bamford. Unfortunately it only lasted three minutes as Pablo Hernandez departed the pitch after his first touch due to an injury. Then within minutes Leeds conceded a dodgy penalty which Aleksandar Mitrović put away and despite an equaliser from Patrick Bamford Leeds went on to lose 2-1.

It wasn't until a month later and four games later that Bielsa could pick this line-up once more, but again luck wasn't on our side as the referee missed Nahki Wells basketball antics, Dallas went off with a knock at half-time culminating in a red card for Phillips in the final minutes of the game. Not until three games later when Phillips returned from suspension, Bielsa was in a position to pick his favoured line-up at Brentford. With no hiccups this time Leeds put in their best away performance since the visit to the Hawthorns on New Year’s Day.

It was the same team for again against Bristol City and we all witnessed one of the most comprehensive 1-0 battering’s of all-time, the score line certainly didn't reflect the performance. So is this Leeds United’s best starting eleven?





Leeds may have more options but it’s hard to argue with the defensive solidity and attacking power whilst fielding that line-up and the results reflect it. Given Leeds United’s form since December it's easy to forget how we used to go into a game and feel confident of not only winning it but shutting the opposition out completely. But we did exactly that against Bristol City and it's no coincidence how palpable the confidence running through our lads was in that game.

What makes it more exciting is that with Roberts coming back and the arrival of Jean-Kévin Augustin and Ian Poveda the best XI has the potential to get even better by the end of the season.


Join the debate on our discussion forums