Preston manager talks up Leeds United manager
Preston boss Alex Neil has praised Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa ahead of tonight’s clash.
Neil has won once and lost once against Bielsa in the league and cup this season and this evening Preston have home advantage over Leeds.
Neil says he is impressed by the way the Argentine has adapted to the Championship with Leeds since being appointed last summer.
He told Preston’s official website: “For Bielsa to come over and not speak much English and to get his team playing in the manner that they do, is absolutely remarkable. You can see he is very, very good at what he does.”
Neil also went on to add that he has watched a lot of Leeds’ games this year and uses them on a weekly basis as model opponents when planning his games.
He said: “Having watched a considerable amount of their games this season – that generally when we play against anybody, we have used Leeds as a template, so I don’t generally dish out a lot of credit to most teams, but in this situation, it is probably merited.”
Neil’s comments are at odds with Preston player Alan Browne who told the Lancashire Evening Post he felt Leeds were overrated.
Leeds are in third place and Preston in 10th. North End are five points off the play-off spots, not an insurmountable gap at this stage, but they need to win out from here.
This tricky away game is a chance for Bielsa to prove the hype.
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