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Tim Sherwood claims ‘breath of fresh air’ at Leeds will still leave

Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images
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Tim Sherwood has claimed that Marcelo Bielsa is a ‘breath of fresh air’ at Leeds United but will still leave in the summer, as he told Premier League Productions (10/02/22 at 12:40 pm).

The former Blackburn midfielder praised Bielsa for giving youngsters the chance during Leeds’ ‘crippling injury list’.

The likes of Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford are currently the more high profile players in the treatment room for the club.

But, throughout the campaign, the Yorkshire side have had to deal with injury on top of injury.

Despite all of that, it didn’t stop Bielsa from putting 15-year-old Archie Gray – nephew of club legend Eddie Gray – on the bench during Leeds’ win at West Ham.

And that’s one of a number of reasons why Sherwood is a fan of the man in the Elland Road dugout.

“They have had a crippling injury list,” said Sherwood. “He’s putting 15 and 16-year-olds on the bench. Giving them an opportunity. 

“He is never looking to call off a game for COVID reasons or any other reasons. He is just a breath of fresh air.

“I don’t think he will be there next season – and the players will be like ‘phew’. They will miss him.”

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09:  Steven Gerrard the manager of Aston Villa and Marcelo Bielsa the manager of Leeds United look on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on February 09, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images )
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images

Even though Leeds had a number of key figures missing on Wednesday night, they still managed to rock up to Villa Park and record a 3-3 draw.

The relentless nature in which the Whites play is a huge reason why their performance levels in attack don’t drop, regardless of who they are playing.

Bielsa’s highly-demanding ways also plays a part in that and he, along with his coaching staff, deserve huge credit for that.

Now it’s a case of picking up the points just to move away from the relegation dogfight behind them because this isn’t the time to go on a bad run.