Old boy urges evolution not revolution as Bielsa faces Leeds pressure
Former Leeds United winger Eddie Lewis is excited by the club’s elevation to the Premier League but feels they may need a tactical tweak to stay there.
The Whites spent 16 years out of the limelight before returning to the top flight for 2020-2021. And it was a solid first campaign in the promised land, with the Elland Road outfit finishing a creditable ninth. The challenge was to replicate that form this term and it has been a rocky road at times in 2021-2022.
The Yorkshire outfit’s first league win came in their seventh game – a 1-0 triumph over Watford. They have added a couple more to sit 15th in the standings, with 16 points to their name.
Lewis spent a couple of years at Leeds between 2005 and 2007. He made 85 appearances, scoring eight goals, but never played for the club in the Premier League.
And the former USA international is happy to see them back amongst the elite.
“Honestly, it’s nice to see them where they probably belong. That’s what we were trying to do when I was there,” he told The Mirror. “Obviously we came a game short in one of the years (play-offs).
“But honestly I’m super-excited. I still keep in touch with a few people from back in the Leeds area.”
Lewis hoping for Leeds progress
Marcelo Bielsa is the man behind Leeds revival. It was always going to be tough to combat so-called ‘second season syndrome’.
The Argentinian tactician is known as a coach who likes his men to play a high press and at a high tempo. And Lewis feels that the South American may need to adapt his style to stay ahead of the game.
“I was a little nervous for them at the beginning of this season because they had a little bit of a rocky start. But hopefully they’ve settled in now,” he added.
“I hope they stay in the Premier League for many years to come. I do think they need to continue to evolve that a little bit to where they can change the tempo.
“And I think we are starting to see that now a bit more with them.”
Whether Bielsa gets to manage the club next season only time will tell. Earlier this week, pundit Tim Sherwood put forward a theory that the Leeds players do not want him in charge any more.
The former Tottenham boss feels he is “overdemanding” and his ideas have “gone sour”.
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