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Martin Keown explains why he reckons Leeds will survive in Premier League
Martin Keown believes Leeds United have enough talent and unity to survive in the Premier League.
However, he reckons Marcelo Bielsa’s man-marking approach is seriously holding the Whites back.
Leeds have endured a difficult season in the Premier League and are in poor form right now.
The Whites have lost their last three league games, including a 6-0 hammering by Liverpool last time out.
Leeds have lost four of their last five in the league and haven’t won since 16 January.
The Elland Road outfit has conceded 13 more goals than at this stage of last season.
Leeds are just the third side to let in 56 goals after 25 Premier League games.
Ominously, the other two were both relegated.
Keown, writing in the , claimed Leeds employ a “very single-minded system” which “shows too much attention to the opposition”.
It also “does not allow his team to play their own game in a creative manner.”
He added: “It is reliant on winning the ball back, then immediately switching to attack mode, breaking forward at speed and trying to score.
“At the moment, it feels too frantic and far too hurried, particularly in front of goal.”
“Enough talent in this group to survive”
But at the same time, Keown feels Leeds have just enough to survive in the top flight.
“Saying that, I don’t think Leeds will go down,” he added.
“There is enough unity between the team and the supporters, particularly now that they are back at Elland Road to cheer on their team, and their home fixtures should save them.
“I do feel there is enough talent in this group to survive.
“But Leeds should simplify their game more and on occasions may be better occupying space and retaining their shape rather than following their opponents around the field.”
Keown finished by saying: “Right now, it feels as if Bielsa’s man-marking approach is what is making Leeds too weak to get a result and dragging them perilously towards the Premier League’s bottom three.
Leeds are next in action on Saturday, hosting Tottenham in the day’s early kickoff.