Jermaine Beckford hits back at 'terrible' Leeds criticism during Whites defence

Marcelo Bielsa. (Photo by Peter Powell - Pool/Getty Images)

The Whites have become renowned for their exceptional fitness levels under Marcelo Bielsa, and have garnered widespread praise for their relentless attacking displays since returning to the Premier League.

But while the South American’s side have enjoyed a number of highly-entertaining successes this season, they have also been prone to the occasional heavy defeat, and have conceded the second-highest tally of goals in the top flight since the beginning of the campaign.

That stat, coupled with a minor slump that has seen them go three matches without a win in all competitions, has led to some queries over whether or not Leeds’ squad can maintain the intensity that Bielsa demands from them over the remainder of the term.

Commenting on the debate during an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live, however, former Elland Road hitman Beckford admitted that he was growing fed up with the rhetoric surrounding his old club.

He said: “If you take into account the fact West Brom, Leeds United, and Fulham came up last season, and the positions that the three clubs are in currently, you’re looking at two teams in the relegation zone and the other is in mid-table.

"But the one that’s playing in mid-table plays such an expansive, unique style of football – it’s refreshing.

"Everybody is entertained by it. It’s enjoyable.

"There’s a part of me, the Leeds United fan, that’s frustrated that it’s being judged constantly, people saying, ‘Oh it’s terrible, it’s never going to last, everybody’s going to blow up’.

"But then there’s another part of me that loves it because as well as Leeds United play, whether it’s a 3-0 win or a 3-0 loss, everybody enjoys it.

"You’re going to enjoy the game whether you’re a fan or not.”

Despite conceding 34 goals in their opening 18 matches, only six teams have scored more than the Whites in the Premier League this season, and their tally of 30 strikes is as many as West Brom and Fulham’s combined total since the three clubs were promoted back to the top flight over the summer.