BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks believes Leeds United have lost the ‘fearlessness’ they had under previous manager Marcelo Bielsa that could work against them in their battle to beat the drop. The Whites are just two points clear of Everton in 18th following a disastrous weekend of results.
Leeds were beaten 4-0 by Manchester City on Saturday, but perhaps more frustratingly for Jesse Marsch’s side, Everton and Burnley both picked up victories. The fight for Premier League survival has not been as tight as this all season, and Leeds will need a significant number of points from their remaining four matches.
Marsch had strung together a five-match unbeaten run prior to the defeat to City but have lost an element of their swift attacking style that was so evident under Bielsa in recent weeks, with shots on target having been at a premium in their last two matches. And speaking in his latest team of the week column, Crooks thinks that could be something that sees them relegated, claiming that their display away at Liverpool in their first game back in the Premier League is a far cry from where they are now.
READ MORE: Leeds United news as former defender details 'important' oversight for current issues
He said: “Leeds, on the other hand, are in a relegation scrap with Burnley and Everton. They no longer have that fearlessness they had under previous manager Marcelo Bielsa, when they first burst onto the Premier League scene and gave the then-champions a huge fright at Anfield on the opening day of the season.
“This is a Leeds United who are having to play with their heads and not their hearts and it is proving difficult.”
