This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds United leapfrogged their nearest challengers to regain control at the top of the Championship table after picking up their sixth league win in a row with a 2-0 victory over west Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town.
Marcelo Bielsa had to wait until the second half to see his side break the deadlock when Ezgjan Alioski slammed in a stunning first-time volley as the Terriers failed to clear a corner before Jack Harrison put the ball on the plate for Pablo Hernandez to head home.
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Even though the Whites clinched an 11th clean sheet of the season, it was no easy feat with the scoreline certainly appearing to be a little flattering.
The Chilean boss was forced into a couple of changes with integral anchorman Kalvin Phillips facing suspension.
On the Chalkboard
It wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that his absence was the root cause of Leeds’ subpar showing as he possesses the sort of qualities that no one else in the side holds.
Which was just ever so evident at times against Huddersfield.
Bielsa tasked Ben White to fill his void in the build-up to the match but at times it looked more like a back three, meaning there was no sort of defensive wall to protect the backline – the Brighton loanee lost possession 13 times while only managing a 68% passing success rate.
The home side managed ten shots at goal, which is a lot considering Leeds hold the acclaim of having the best defensive record in the league.
Phillips, who the club reportedly valued at £20m last summer, averages a passing accuracy rate of 81.5% which includes a monumental 5.1 long passes per game while he also ranks first in the squad for tackles, averaging 3.7 per game, via WhoScored.
That only goes to show just how influential he is in Leeds’ engine room.
Bielsa and those involved at the club can’t be fooled by the scoreline either, it only proved that a future without Phillips looks rather bleak and that it should be a worry.
The 24-year-old has continually been linked to Manchester United this season so there’s always a chance that his future may lie elsewhere, especially if the south Yorkshiremen falter come the end of the campaign.
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Meanwhile, several Leeds fans have been left fuming over the situation involving their FA Cup tie with Arsenal…
