Leeds United boss Sam Allardyce knows defensive improvement will be vital in order to keep the club in the Premier League. The Elland Road outfit are in relegation trouble and have brought in Allardyce to replace Javi Gracia - who only managed Leeds for 12 games.
It's Allardyce's first managerial job in two years, with West Bromwich Albion his last club. And the first test couldn't be much tougher, with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on a City side who are unbeaten in their last 19 outings.
Pep Guardiola's side are pushing for another Premier League title, with three points against Leeds the next challenge.
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Allardyce has spoken highly of Guardiola and top scorer Erling Haaland, but wants his team to stand up to the test and limit City's opportunities on the day. Leeds have conceded the most goals in the top flight and Allardyce's focus is therefore clear.
"Every player needs to defend when you don't have the ball," he said. "It sounds simple, but sometimes it's more difficult to get your front men (to). Abroad, sometimes your front three don't defend. In the Premier League you don't have that luxury. Man City don't do it. We all have to do our bit. I want players to make life difficult for Man City.
"When we lose the ball, we all have to be compact and we all have to do our bit. Because, if whoever's playing striker stops penetrating passes tomorrow, (they are) doing a great defensive job. I'm not asking him to tackle and win it back, but I am asking him to make life difficult for that defender to pass it to Manchester City's players.
"I think the fact of the matter is the performance defensively has been so poor in the last few games. Man City are top because they're the best defensively. The general public don't look at that but that's why they're top. You take over a football club in desperate need, the goal difference is so bad and that's why they are where they are.
"The players have to buy in and I have to get the best out of the players. That's my job. There can be an element of surprise about how we set up and how we try and do it. Let's hope that works in our favour. It's trying to avoid everything Man City do for as long as you can. It's important to keep possession."
And on Guardiola specifically, Allardyce said: "I think he's brilliant. He's done a huge amount for the PL. It's not just the coach, it's the backing behind that and recruitment. It's been tremendous. We've always got on. He's a great guy and his knowledge is fantastic. It's great to be pitting your wits against him. If you want to be in football, the Premier League is the one place to be in this country."
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