A Leeds United writer talks burnout, Bielsa and who Sheffield Wednesday need to look out for this weekend

Next up for Sheffield Wednesday is another trip to one of Garry Monk’s old teams – table-topping Leeds United.
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Marcelo Bielsa’s men welcome the Owls to Elland Road leading the pack on goal difference and desperate to kick-start their title charge after a run of one win in five across a difficult run of festive fixtures.

Wednesday have a reasonable record at the West Yorkshire ground of late and both teams will be hoping to get one over on the other after their 0-0 stalemate back in October.

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We spoke to the a member of the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Leeds United writing team, Joe Urquhart, for the inside track on all things Leeds.

- Leeds are flying high but have wobbled of late - something that has cost them dearly post-Christmas in previous seasons. How's the feeling at Elland Road?

I'm not sure wobble is the right word. One defeat over the busy Christmas period, which included trips to Fulham and West Brom, isn't the worst return but on the flip side it did bring only one set of three points.

A seven game winning run from mid-October to mid-December set the standards, and perhaps it was the manner of the draw at home to Cardiff City - where Leeds were 3-0 up with half an hour to go - that set the alarm bells ringing.

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But in a crazy Championship this season Leeds have actually come out of the festive period at the top of the table, albeit on goal difference.

Leeds United celebrate scoring one of their three goals against Cardiff City - a game that saw them draw 3-3.Leeds United celebrate scoring one of their three goals against Cardiff City - a game that saw them draw 3-3.
Leeds United celebrate scoring one of their three goals against Cardiff City - a game that saw them draw 3-3.

The feeling is generally positive at Elland Road, though there is still obviously an awareness of what happened last season and a determination to not repeat the same mistakes as last January with the Daniel James saga.

A replacement for Eddie Nketiah is a must, and would go a long way to easing the supporters fears. A steady transfer window added with a couple of wins in the coming weeks should give the Whites confidence.

- There's a lot made of the physical and mental pressure placed on players by Marcelo Bielsa - is there much evidence to suggest that 'burnout' might become an issue this time out?

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This is a bugbear for Bielsa. A lot of people have poked the "burnout" card at his teams throughout his career but he always comes back with fitness stats, like he did last year when left annoyed at QPR.

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.

Last season there was obviously a drop off in results and that is something which again means that easy criticism can be made.

But there were a few reasons. Generally they lost a lot of the close big games to their promotion rivals in the second half of the season. Leeds also had a raft of injuries to deal with which saw a lot of Under-23s thrust into action on occasion.

In the simpliest of terms, the goals dried up. Bamford spent most of the season in the treatment room as did Kemar Roofe and one of the main issues over the last 18 months under Bielsa has been converting chances into goals.

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I think there is a lot to be said about the experience of his squad last year, and hopefully from a Leeds point of view the hurt they suffered in missing out on automatic promotion and eventually the play-offs means that they won't get too far ahead of themselves this time around.

Sheffield United and Norwich City were simply better, Leeds' form faltered at the crucial stage but I wouldn't categorically say it was purely down to the demands he set. Crucial moments happen in a season.

If Tyler Roberts' shot against Sheffield United hit the back of the net instead of the post last season, who knows what might've happened. It's fine margins in football.

- Together with West Brom the Whites look set to finally get back to the Premier League. Who have been the key performers and who should Wednesday be keeping a close eye on?

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Patrick Bamford has been a key figure for Leeds this term, as has Ben White in defence. Bielsa is a very loyal coach and stuck with United's number nine during his barren spell a few months ago.

10 Championship goals have helped his cause, but it is also his work rate that set him apart from the now departed Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah.

White has been a revelation in the heart of defence after the Brighton loanee replaced Pontus Jannson in the summer. And was key to United's stunning defensive record up until early December.

Jack Harrison and Helder Costa are also ones to watch for Wednesday, the two wingers both enjoyed a good run over Christmas and have started pitching in with goals and assists to support Bamford up front.

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- Leeds and Wednesday have a pretty mixed record against one another in recent years. How much is this one seen as a potential stumbling block for Leeds?

Leeds will certainly be looking to get back to winning ways after the draw in the league against West Brom on New Year's Day before their valiant 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Promotion, of course, is very much the aim and Wednesday themselves appear to be having a strong campaign.

Yorkshire derbies do always seem to throw up some odd results, and Leeds have had plenty of those recently. A 3-3 against Cardiff City and a 5-4 win at Birmingham City standout in the last few weeks.

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I suspect Elland Road could be a factor, but can sometimes work against the hosts when the nerves kick in. The 0-0 draw between the two was a highly competitive game at Hillsborough and I suspect this one will be very much the same.

Leeds will have to be at their best to win the game, and slow starts is what generally cost them over Christmas.

- How are Wednesday rated among Leeds' biggest rivals by supporters?

Whenever Leeds and Wednesday get together it does always have the feel of that added spice. Garry Monk in charge of the Owls obviously helps this cause as well this season, and of all the Yorkshire derbies in the Championship it is probably the biggest this term.

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The atmosphere is always a good one and with a sold out away end I expect Elland Road to be bouncing come kick-off. Both teams are doing well, have had up and down results recently but it's does bring that something extra this fixture.

Leeds will be looking at it as a chance start another run to kick on in the New Year, while I'm sure Wednesday will want to claw some points back on the league leaders as we start to get into the second half of the campaign.

- What is your predicted Leeds line-up and are there any injuries?

Bielsa usually opts his favoured 4-1-4-1 and we fully expect the same. My predicted line-up would be: Casilla, Ayling, White, Cooper, Alioski, Phillips, Costa, Klich, Dallas, Harrison, Bamford.

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There are a few injuries in the squad, but Tyler Roberts, Pablo Hernandez and Jamie Shackleton have all recently returned to training and could make the bench for Leeds.

Adam Forshaw remains the only long-term absentee as his injury woes continue with a hip problem that has kept him out of action for over three months.