Under the world-renowned coach, the Whites have overcome every hurdle en route to top of the Championship at Christmas and look well placed for promotion.
We’ve made it to the halfway point of the Championship season, with 23 games out of 46 now played, just in time for Christmas.
It’s set to be an extra special one for Leeds United fans, since they’ve reached the middle point of the campaign sitting pretty at the top of the table.
What a ride it’s been so far for the Whites – 14 wins, six draws and just three defeats, six victories in a row, the second-lowest amount of goals conceded and a solid 39 scored.
When Marcelo Bielsa, a manager described by Pep Guardiola as “the best coach in the world”, was appointed by the Elland Road outfit, it very much set the tone for what was to come.
However, prior to the season getting underway, some Leeds fans remained pessimistic over their hopes for the season, judging by the Guardian’s fan-led 2018-19 Championship season preview.
“Another underwhelming season. Optimism gone by October, Marcelo Bielsa by December. We will loan a couple more Chelsea players in January to get us excited again but forget to win any games in the meantime,” wrote the contributor. “We are Leeds. We’ll finish anywhere between sixth and 21st. Let’s call it 11th.”
It’s somewhat understandable that some fans may not have been immediately optimistic given the trials and tribulations experienced by the club over the past 15 or so years, but surely some belief may now be coming to the fore given their impressive form so far this season?
Full credit must go to Bielsa, who has not only got Leeds playing intense, high-tempo football and delivering points as well as entertainment, but also giving them steel and resolve to overcome tough situations – such as the injury crisis in defence – and come back from deficits.
Indeed, in their last game before Christmas, the Whites trailed 2-0 to Aston Villa at half time, but the second half belonged to them as they clawed two goals back before Kemar Roofe struck the winner in the 95th minute.
On top of that, Bielsa has not been afraid to trust in youth, with the likes of Jamie Shackleton, Tyler Roberts and Jack Clarke all getting game time under the Argentine, much to the delight of supporters who could be seeing more home-grown talents become established first-teamers.
All of this makes for a near-perfect first half of the Championship season, and Leeds fans – even the initially pessimistic ones such as the Guardian contributor – must surely now feel like promotion to the Premier League is now a real possibility.
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