Football News: Marcelo Bielsa and Howard Wilkinson should be considered Legends at Leeds United

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Leeds United under Howard Wilkinson was my first taste of football as a young lad, and the reason I fell in love with the sport, and wanted to become a footballer myself. In my opinion it was difficult to find a better midfield than that of Strachan, McAllister, Batty, Speed. There was plenty to cheer, but also came a lot of frustration.

The selling of Cantona to you know who could be seen as unforgivable. After our incredible title win we followed up the season after by failing to win a single game away from home and finishing 17th. I wonder how many were campaigning endlessly for Wilko to be sacked then.

As we know he wasn't sacked and Leeds finished a respectable 5th, but then came more of the dismantling of the team with the likes of Batty going and Palmer coming in. McAllister, Speed, and so on with the likes of, Rocastle, White, and even Brolin coming in. There was plenty to pick fault with - not least the 17th place finish, failing to win away from home of a side that had finished champions just a season earlier.

Wilkinson should in my opinion be considered a legend of the club for his achievements, but equally so should, Marcelo Bielsa and his reign is not over yet. Wilkinson spent what was a lot at the time in bringing players to what is now the Championship. Players that dropped down from what is now the Premiership. The likes of, Fairclough, Strachan, Jones, Chapman. Sterland coming down from Rangers at the time was considered a big step down. It's my opinion we can't realistically compare the two managers.

I do think there will be big changes next season. The 49ers likely increasing their stake in the club to a controlling one before a full buy out. I'll then be eternally grateful to Radz for all he has done for the club, and get myself ready for a new chapter for our great club. Sadly I do then think with new full owners will come a new manager / coach. Whoever the American's choose I will get behind and support as I do anyone who is in that dugout for Leeds, but they have some big shoes to fill.

I like many would have liked to have seen some fresh blood in January, but for whatever reason it's not happened. There was no transfer window back in Wilko's day, and in my opinion it makes it much more of a challenge now having one. Everyone knows when everyone else is going to be looking to buy, and it's very much a sellers window. It's important now that the club get's signings for the first team right. One can assume they have a list of potential signings that they feel fit the criteria and requirements of Bielsa.

A club may not be interested in selling which seems to be the case with, Aaronson, or the player himself may not be interested in joining which apparently was the case with, Gallagher. If the club can't sign anyone they have identified as potential targets and choose then to not bring anyone in at all then I fully understand and respect that. I personally would rather we brought in a player that fully wants to be at Leeds, and will give their absolute all for the cause than bring in someone that will just make up the numbers for half a season because they can't get minutes at the club their at.

It is what it is, I for one will be supporting the lads from the first minute to the last in every game from now until the end of the season. We are as close to 10th as we are 18th so let's look up and not down and why not start with 3 points against Manchester United.

Written by MOTLUFC February 14 2022 22:45:54