Marcelo Bielsa

[Overman]

Mate we just experienced a humiliation and gave City the easiest game they have had in years, even MB admits they didn't have to play well we handed it to them on a plate.

We arent the same team as last year, thats clear to everyone, the performances this season largely show that. Chelsea was decent but lets be honest that was a rare highlight performance wise in a season that has seen 3 wins in 17 which by any measure would be considered very poor. And regardless of performance we lost vs Chelsea anyway and frankly we have reached a point in the season where points matter more.

We have already tried to go toe to toe with a superior team a few times this season and we got brushed aside each time(and lost every time anyway). Against this City side its suicide to play how we did especially with our injuries. If Bielsa refuses to use injuries as an excuse why are we?

Nobody deserves credit for a 7-0 defeat, this isn't a plucky league 1 side in the fa Cup vs Man City. Even though clearly a gulf exists it shouldn't be that clear, it hasnt been for any other Premier league sides this season.

Few years back they beat Burton 9-0 in the cup. They had more shots (31-28) vs us than they did Vs Burton) it was a disgrace.

And yes if necessary to try and keep the score down, sometimes you need to try damage limitation. Our goal difference took a battering and do our players sit there tonight thinking "well least we had a go".

No i expect they sit there demoralised from a humiliating defeat in front of the entire football nation and listen and read as the opposition fans take the piss and the media rip them apart and then you know what else may happen? They start to question whether the manager got it wrong.

And i think we all know that the players will privately be talking about that because that is what happens and our players will be no different to all the other teams who reach this point in the season where we are.

Players arent robots and it would only be natural to question that after a defeat like today as undoubtedly they to will deal with banter and what notfrom friends and family.

As mentioned before i think sacking Bielsa is pointless with this squad anyway but as a manager to have as you yourself allude to a 1 dimensional squad its not a good thing and i do think he got it wrong today. Ive given my view on what MB could do differently before and i think today was one of those times.

Whilst a new manager would struggle to change a system mid season Bielsa should know this squad well enough to make minor tweaks to makeus more solid when necessary.

I dont think any manager deserves credit for not trying something different in desperate circumstances like today.

We all love Bielsa but we have put up with some humiliations.

Playoff defeat, Manure battering us, Liverpool battering us and this as well, no manager can complain if they get criticism after things like those imo and tbf i imagine Bielsa knows that.

Incidentally he called this our worst performance so he knows he got it wrong to.

Bang on, applying the same method over and over again to every given situation, is really absurd. Irrespective of who the manager is and status, from an objective stance, 2 wins from the last 13 is piss poor.

[White Riot]

The morning after the night before.

That "performance" was so bad that I've hardly slept thinking about it.

Shameful, spineless, pathetic, gutless,, these are all words that I wouldn't associate with Leeds United, but they are all appropriate for what happened last night.

I still think the coach that has the best chance of keeping us up is Bielsa, so I don't see him being sacked. But if we suffer more humiliations like that he might just walk as he's a proud man.

Those players, Bielsa, Radz, Kinnear and Orts should all hang their heads in shame for what they produced last night.

They need put this right immediately, starting with a win against Arsenal, cos what I watched last night is not acceptable, or excusable.

So, over to you, our team, coach and the management, show some pride on that pitch and make a statement on Saturday against Arsenal, that's what I want and expect to see.

[White Riot]

Mate we just experienced a humiliation and gave City the easiest game they have had in years, even MB admits they didn't have to play well we handed it to them on a plate.

We arent the same team as last year, thats clear to everyone, the performances this season largely show that. Chelsea was decent but lets be honest that was a rare highlight performance wise in a season that has seen 3 wins in 17 which by any measure would be considered very poor. And regardless of performance we lost vs Chelsea anyway and frankly we have reached a point in the season where points matter more.

We have already tried to go toe to toe with a superior team a few times this season and we got brushed aside each time(and lost every time anyway). Against this City side its suicide to play how we did especially with our injuries. If Bielsa refuses to use injuries as an excuse why are we?

Nobody deserves credit for a 7-0 defeat, this isn't a plucky league 1 side in the fa Cup vs Man City. Even though clearly a gulf exists it shouldn't be that clear, it hasnt been for any other Premier league sides this season.

Few years back they beat Burton 9-0 in the cup. They had more shots (31-28) vs us than they did Vs Burton) it was a disgrace.

And yes if necessary to try and keep the score down, sometimes you need to try damage limitation. Our goal difference took a battering and do our players sit there tonight thinking "well least we had a go".

No i expect they sit there demoralised from a humiliating defeat in front of the entire football nation and listen and read as the opposition fans take the piss and the media rip them apart and then you know what else may happen? They start to question whether the manager got it wrong.

And i think we all know that the players will privately be talking about that because that is what happens and our players will be no different to all the other teams who reach this point in the season where we are.

Players arent robots and it would only be natural to question that after a defeat like today as undoubtedly they to will deal with banter and what notfrom friends and family.

As mentioned before i think sacking Bielsa is pointless with this squad anyway but as a manager to have as you yourself allude to a 1 dimensional squad its not a good thing and i do think he got it wrong today. Ive given my view on what MB could do differently before and i think today was one of those times.

Whilst a new manager would struggle to change a system mid season Bielsa should know this squad well enough to make minor tweaks to makeus more solid when necessary.

I dont think any manager deserves credit for not trying something different in desperate circumstances like today.

We all love Bielsa but we have put up with some humiliations.

Playoff defeat, Manure battering us, Liverpool battering us and this as well, no manager can complain if they get criticism after things like those imo and tbf i imagine Bielsa knows that.

Incidentally he called this our worst performance so he knows he got it wrong to.

Another brilliant post Cjay

[1964white]

It's ridiculous to say tactics are to blame. We could have gone defensive and got battered by more. I made the point earlier that we were around 25-1 to win with the bookies. We were only 16-1 to beat Man U in the FA Cup when we were in League 1. The bookies could see the gulf in the abilities of the squads even if some fans can't. Fact of the matter is that against Chelsea we got penned in for the first 15 minutes but survived and grew into the game, same as against City last year in the draw at ER. Give a team like Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool or City a helping hand and they are capable of spanking anyone. To get any sort of result we would have not only needed an almighty performance but a huge helping of luck or poor finishing. As it was City finished well and got all the breaks after that any performance is fairly much irrelevant to the outcome.

We were a team devoid of our spine - Cooper - KP - Bamford. For all the abuse Cooper gets he is a vital part to our spine. KP well the stats show how much we miss him and shows why he is worth £50m+ and why you can't simply have a back-up that is nearly as good. A full strength team would as likely as not get spanked by City let alone a team missing crucial players.

I can't believe anyone expected a change of tactics at half time. What would be the point in that? Change to a style we aren't used to playing against arguably the best team in Europe - yeah that would work. What would have been the point? To try to keep the scoreline down. I for one applaud Bielsa for allowing the players to have a go, just like he did against MU last year where we could have got 3 or 4 back not just 2. Why bring Gelhardt on and then go defensive? Let the lads try and score, let Gelhardt or Roberts get the chance to get a goal, let's show a bit of fight.

I was proud to see our players still trying to score when 7-0 down, at times carving City open. We deserved a goal or two. My faith in Bielsa is as strong as it has always been.

Well we changed our style of play at the Etihad last season keeping it tight with 10 v 11 catching them on the break to gain an exceptional victory, damage limitation was the way to go last night. No other PL team will go there & get smashed 7-0, could quite easily been double figures if not for Meslier & Citeh missing other scoring opportunities.

How you say you are proud of that performance is beyond comprehension

Bielsa can do no wrong in your eyes, that applies with a few others on here who refuse to question his poor tactics & some of his ludicrous decisions.

Not only did we lose a football match we lost a valuable point as our goal difference advantage has gone out of the window now.

I suppose it could have been worse had Llorente, Raphinha or Roberts had picked-up another yellow card, naive & lack of forward-thinking once again when the game was lost, leaving essential players on the pitch so long required for the Arsenal game.

[john1931]

Always had a feeling that Marcelo would leave at the end of this season....after leading us to the Premier League his aim will now be to keep us in it.....and then he will hand the reigns over.
Let's get behind him and Leeds United until then

Marching On Together !!

[billysboots]

No sackings and ask Bielsa to stay.
We need to identify which games we can win and hopefully avoid going down.
New coach next season who will have to build a new squad. Mid table will do me for a few seasons.

[billysboots]

Always had a feeling that Marcelo would leave at the end of this season....after leading us to the Premier League his aim will now be to keep us in it.....and then he will hand the reigns over.
Let's get behind him and Leeds United until then

Marching On Together !!

Yep, MOT.

[Finnatic]

Totally agree weasel. Great post

Common sense as usual

[rondownunder]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59657974

Is that Bielsa announcing his time with us is nearing it's end? Or is he trying to put heat on the club's owners to spend some money, even in a window he hates? Or is that MB just being honest and saying we're fcked? Or just saying Citeh are unplayable?

First time I have read such a downbeat assessment, but I guess 7 nil will do that. Could have been 17 nil.

[WhiteRose]

Some kind of Stockholm syndrome going on here, Bielsa has done well at Leeds, he’s done what many couldn’t and transformed the club but he was the first half decent manager appointed since we were relegated and he was given backing not seen before too. There are plenty of managers who have got teams promoted, plenty of managers that kept teams in the premier league. I know we like to think he is unique and in a way he is but his achievements aren’t really in the grand scheme of football.

We have all been burnt before and I’m not calling for Bielsa to go especially not after a schooling from Man City but Leeds will go on without him at some point and we won’t necessarily repeat the sins of the past, other managers are out there who can be just as effective but maybe not as exciting

[Overman]

Well we changed our style of play at the Etihad last season keeping it tight with 10 v 11 catching them on the break to gain an exceptional victory, damage limitation was the way to go last night. No other PL team will go there & get smashed 7-0, could quite easily been double figures if not for Meslier & Citeh missing other scoring opportunities.

How you say you are proud of that performance is beyond comprehension

Bielsa can do no wrong in your eyes, that applies with a few others on here who refuse to question his poor tactics & some of his ludicrous decisions.

Not only did we lose a football match we lost a valuable point as our goal difference advantage has gone out of the window now.

I suppose it could have been worse had Llorente, Raphinha or Roberts had picked-up another yellow card, naive & lack of forward-thinking once again when the game was lost, leaving essential players on the pitch so long required for the Arsenal game.

To use the word proud in the context of that performance is not only worringly bizarre, but comical. These are paid professionals at the end of the day, and that performance was amateurish at best. Our defending was on par with Sunday league standards and we gifted that to them. All parties are accountable, but MB needs to bare the brunt of the blame, which he has. It's a given that he will be moving on next season, so we need to plan for the future. In the interim, MB and the 3 stooges need to come up with a plausible plan in order to stay up this season.

[SG90]

To use the word proud in the context of that performance is not only worringly bizarre, but comical. These are paid professionals at the end of the day, and that performance was amateurish at best. Our defending was on par with Sunday league standards and we gifted that to them. All parties are accountable, but MB needs to bare the brunt of the blame, which he has. It's a given that he will be moving on next season, so we need to plan for the future. In the interim, MB and the 3 stooges need to come up with a plausible plan in order to stay up this season.

Imagine Southampton fans saying they were proud after losing 9-0 or Watford after losing 8-0. These are PL players on massive salaries, not non league players.

And as 64 said above, we changed tactics against Man City last season and beat them. I wasn't expecting a win, but at 2-0, I was expecting us to park the bus to keep the score down.

[billysboots]

Can they convince him to accept some new players in January- even on loan- and actually play them?
Relegation is avoidable if the correct steps are taken and in time.

[lufc1304]

My morning after thoughts. We were outplayed, out fought and outclassed by City, one of the top 5 teams in Europe and with unlimited resources we can only dream of (that diving c**t Grealish cost more than our first 11 last night). They were up for it from the first minute, we didn't turn up. Did Bielsa get the tactics wrong, perhaps, but as others have said, we are set up to play a certain way and we had the entirety of the spine of our team missing. Even with Cooper, Phillips and Bamford available, we would still have been serious underdogs. It's not that long ago that we were getting spanked 6-0 by Wednesday in the Championship; the reason we were facing City in the PL last night is down to one man, and the idea that we sack him is ludicrous. That's not blind loyalty to Bielsa, more a recognition that teams in trouble (and we are) rarely sack their way out of it. This is Bielsa's squad, his system and I believe he is the man to turn this around. I will also say that I think the club and some of the fan base were duped by our 9th place finish last season into thinking we were set and capable of competing in the PL year on year. That was a mistake, we needed to freshen up the squad in the summer and we didn't. A rotten run of injuries, coupled with MB's insistence on a small squad has left us with bare bones, so a result like last night was always a possibility. Perhaps I'm in a minority, but I do think we will be fine with a full squad to call upon. And maybe an addition or two in January. Keep the faith.

[60sUnited]

Obviously very very embarrassing night, but remember we are really playing in a league of 6 or 7 rivals for relegation and as long as we do enough to end up above 18th place I will be happy to forget last night and I think Bielsa will achieve that.

[Leeds1000]

It wouldn't have matter who we had in charge yesterday Citeh were light years ahead of us in terms of quality, and so they should be considering what they have spent. Bielsa to his detriment still believes we can go toe to toe with any team. Hopefully last night will sober him up a wee bit.

[john1931]

My morning after thoughts. We were outplayed, out fought and outclassed by City, one of the top 5 teams in Europe and with unlimited resources we can only dream of (that diving c**t Grealish cost more than our first 11 last night). They were up for it from the first minute, we didn't turn up. Did Bielsa get the tactics wrong, perhaps, but as others have said, we are set up to play a certain way and we had the entirety of the spine of our team missing. Even with Cooper, Phillips and Bamford available, we would still have been serious underdogs. It's not that long ago that we were getting spanked 6-0 by Wednesday in the Championship; the reason we were facing City in the PL last night is down to one man, and the idea that we sack him is ludicrous. That's not blind loyalty to Bielsa, more a recognition that teams in trouble (and we are) rarely sack their way out of it. This is Bielsa's squad, his system and I believe he is the man to turn this around. I will also say that I think the club and some of the fan base were duped by our 9th place finish last season into thinking we were set and capable of competing in the PL year on year. That was a mistake, we needed to freshen up the squad in the summer and we didn't. A rotten run of injuries, coupled with MB's insistence on a small squad has left us with bare bones, so a result like last night was always a possibility. Perhaps I'm in a minority, but I do think we will be fine with a full squad to call upon. And maybe an addition or two in January. Keep the faith.

Spot on

[weasel]

Well we changed our style of play at the Etihad last season keeping it tight with 10 v 11 catching them on the break to gain an exceptional victory, damage limitation was the way to go last night. No other PL team will go there & get smashed 7-0, could quite easily been double figures if not for Meslier & Citeh missing other scoring opportunities.

How you say you are proud of that performance is beyond comprehension

Bielsa can do no wrong in your eyes, that applies with a few others on here who refuse to question his poor tactics & some of his ludicrous decisions.

Not only did we lose a football match we lost a valuable point as our goal difference advantage has gone out of the window now.

I suppose it could have been worse had Llorente, Raphinha or Roberts had picked-up another yellow card, naive & lack of forward-thinking once again when the game was lost, leaving essential players on the pitch so long required for the Arsenal game.

We changed our style last year due to the circumstances of being a man down and having a lead to cling on to. We rode our luck in that game and took our chances when they came. City are capable of smashing any team, same as Liverpool, Chelsea and Man U when they get it right.

Like I said though even if we went there with a full strength team and in the middle of a great run the bookies would probably have us losing by 3 or 4 as the most likely outcome. If someone had said to me before the game you'll lose 5-0 I wouldn't have been surprised. City can and do thrash teams when they get it right. Just look at the FA Cup Final of 2019 when they smashed Watford 6-0. That was a cup final not just a run of the mill league game. I just don't know what you realistically expected. Yes not to lose by 7 but hand on heart could you not see us losing comfortably?

As for people saying change tactics well we nearly got a point v Chelsea despite getting battered in the opening 15 minutes. Main difference there was we didn't concede a goal when we couldn't get out of our own half. City have scored 5 in 3 games this season and 6 in 2 games - when they get it right they score for fun.

Of course Bielsa can do wrong. I just wonder what these amazing tactics are that would have seen us not getting battered? Please share them cos even if we parked the bus I think we'd have got battered.

[The Subhuman]

The worrying thing of course is Southampton were routed 8-0 in consecutive seasons IIRC and relegated both times ....

[1964white]

No sackings and ask Bielsa to stay.
We need to identify which games we can win and hopefully avoid going down.
New coach next season who will have to build a new squad. Mid table will do me for a few seasons.

And me too, if we survive this season.