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Marcelo Bielsa’s side compared to Neil Warnock promotion team by former Cardiff and Leeds player
Leeds United take on Cardiff City this weekend, hoping to continue their fine recent form. However, trips to South Wales have traditionally not been successful for Leeds and the 3-3 draw with the Bluebirds earlier this season highlights how Cardiff could pose Leeds problems.
That said, Leeds are in fine form and when on a run like this, Marcelo Bielsa’s men are often hard to stop.
That is the fear of one Cardiff City legend, who also had a brief spell at Elland Road. Nathan Blake joined Leeds on loan in January 2005 and went on to score his final career goal whilst with the Whites.
The loan deal from Leicester City ended prematurely with a ruptured hamstring and Blake is best known for his time with Cardiff and Bolton Wanderers.
the 30-cap Welsh international made it clear that Cardiff must not let Leeds hit their ‘rhythm’, comparing Bielsa’s men to the Cardiff team which won promotion over ex-Leeds boss Neil Warnock in 2017-18.
“What we don’t want is for Leeds to get into that rhythm. Counter-attack, fast, free-flowing. Rhythm football. We can’t afford that.
“They are top of the table for a reason. They’ve become a hard animal to stop. Just like when we were doing our best doing the Neil Warnock-ball, we were a hard team to stop. What you’ve got to be thinking, if your (Cardiff manager) Neil Harris, is disruptive.”
Leeds United fans will, of course, take some exception to being compared to that Warnock side, as the styles of play involved are vastly different.
But what Blake is saying makes sense. Both sides, when their main philosophy and game-plan were being executed to perfection, were extremely difficult to beat.
Leeds’ style might be a little more eye-pleasing, but the end result will hopefully be the same. Promotion to the Premier League. A win against a difficult Cardiff side this weekend would help Leeds along their way.