Tim Sherwood has controversially told Premier League Productions that Marcel Bielsa would think that Leeds would ‘never be in contention’ to maintain their Premier League status if they didn’t run more than their opponents.
One thing that has become synonyms with this Leeds side is the intensity in which they play and how hard they make the opposition work.
It has resulted in them gaining great success, including ending their near 20-year drought of being away from the Premier League.
Sherwood touched upon Leeds’ work rate, the high demand from their coach and whether they will stay in England’s top-flight this season.
“Are they going to burn out? Well, that’s the way he plays, that’s the way he wants to play,” said Sherwood. “I think they are the fittest team in the league.
“They are still wearing the tracking systems on the back of their shirt. He demands that they run more than any other team. It’s a long, hard season in the Premier League. It’s tough. The competition is always tough. There are no gimme games. There are no rest games.
“So, they are going to have to be full-pelt all of the way. He [Bielsa] would argue if they are not running at the high intensity in which they are running now then they would never be in contention to stay in the Premier League.
“Are they going to get relegated? Surely that has to be the objective to stay in the league. No, they are not going to get relegated.”
Whilst Leeds started the season in spectacular fashion, they have hit a brick wall in recent weeks, with two defeats and eight goals conceded.
That brick wall will be needed to keep the ball out of the back of their net because it has been their biggest problem.
There won’t be any panic yet, but if Leeds continue to drop points and allow the number of goals they are letting in to continue then it may start to worry some of the Elland Road faithful.
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