Joe Gelhardt is not the automatic solution to Leeds United’s striking problems just because he was on the pitch the least last time out, according to Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa has been stewing on Patrick Bamford’s continued absence through the international break as the striker continues his latest injury recovery with no return date in sight.
In Monday’s press conference, as Bielsa looked ahead to Wednesday’s trip to Aston Villa, he was asked about Daniel James’s continued experiment at the head of the attack.
Bielsa defended the Wales international’s potency in that role and said United became less and less of a threat as he cycled through his other options into the second half there.
While Bielsa is aware of the calls for teenager Gelhardt to start in his natural role, he maintains it is a view being pushed mainly because he was the only option barely used in the last defeat.
“The problem existed and what's been demanded is what I've done the least (choose Gelhardt),” he said.
“After [James], I opted for Tyler Roberts and Rodrigo Moreno, and after I opted for Tyler Roberts, Joe Gelhardt and Rodrigo Moreno.
“So the moment in which we created [the] least danger was when we played with three central attackers through the middle part of our game.”
While Bielsa did not suggest Gelhardt was now set for an immediate recall to the line-up on Wednesday, he did offer more information on why the youth had not been used sooner against Newcastle.
A small session had been put on the day before kick-off to test out Gelhardt’s recovering ankle.
“That's something that made me think the Gelhardt situation had to be managed carefully,” he said.
“The reason why he was the last one to come on, is because of what I consider the four options I have available: James, Tyler Roberts and Rodrigo Moreno.
“In that moment I positioned those three in front of his presence.”
That’s the pecking order many spectators have come to expect from the head coach.
Gelhardt was ultimately introduced for the final 10 minutes of the game, during which point he was one of three strikers playing through the centre.
Bielsa didn’t feel that worked.
“After their goal, I decided to play with three centre forwards on the pitch and I insist that's the moment we created the least danger,” he said.
“It's logical they claim or demand something. They are claiming something because I didn't do it and because what I didn't do can't be verified, the critic acquires value.”
