Bielsa’s Leeds United host Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday evening.
Marcelo Bielsa has insisted he will not adjust his Leeds United system to combat Sheffield Wednesday’s two-man strike force.
Wednesday have started with at least two recognised centre-forwards in each of their last five Championship fixtures, with Steven Fletcher, Gary Hooper, Lucas Joao, Fernando Forestieri, Sam Winnall and Atdhe Nuhiu to choose from.
And with a number of Owls midfielders doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Leeds – Barry Bannan, Sam Hutchinson, Josh Onomah and Rolando Aarons each returned to training this week – that is unlikely to chance at Elland Road.
But asked whether or not he could throw in a third central defender against Sheffield Wednesday, Bielsa told Leeds Live: “We are going to play with the same players. I don’t imagine any changes at the moment.”
20 points currently separate the second-placed Whites with Wednesday 10th.
Had the season began on 21 December, however – the date the Owls parted company with their previous manager, Jos Luhukay – Steve Bruce’s side would be fourth in the table, a point and two places above their Yorkshire rivals.
Discussing their revival under Bruce, the Leeds manager added: “From the change of the coach, they create a more stable shape and XI. They’ve had good results. They use less players. They have a style of play in their games. The positive results are reflecting the performances.”
A Sheffield Wednesday win at Leeds would be welcome news for the Owls’ fierce rivals, Sheffield United, who host Millwall earlier on Saturday afternoon.
And many of a Wednesday persuasion are divided over which approach their side should take, with a play-off place of their own not yet out of reach.
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