Leeds United looked 'tired and jaded' against Wigan Athletic says ex White Danny Mills

Wigan won the game 1-0 and Bielsa, who has recently stated that the data from both last season and this season proves that his players are not running less or getting tired in games, accepted full responsibility in his post-match press conference.

Former Premier League defender Mills, speaking on Sky Sports News, made the claim that United needed fresh legs in their attempt to fight back against the Latics. Bielsa did send on attacker Tyler Roberts midway through the second half, replacing left-back Gjanni Alioski. But newly signed winger Ian Povdea remained on the bench.

"They're creating chance after chance but they're not clinical enough in front of goal," he said.

"Patrick Bamford does an awful lot for the team but there are chances when you think you've got to put that in the back of the net. The fans are starting to get a little bit frustrated.

"[Ian] Poveda was on the bench. You have to change it if it's not working. Is that Marcelo Bielsa being a little bit stubborn?

"There's an amazing relationship between Marcelo Bielsa and Pep Guardiola, they're always talking, [Poveda has] worked under Pep, alright it was in the Under 23s, but the ethos is the same.

"You don't need to play to be match fit for 15 minutes. If it's not working you change it.

"They looked a bit tired and jaded towards the end against Wigan, that's when you have to use your substitutes."

Mills also expressed the belief that new signing Jean-Kevin Augustin's presence on the bench would have given Elland Road a lift.

The Frenchman was left out of the squad for the game, which came six days after his arrival in Leeds from RB Leipzig. He got his first taste of action for the Under 23s at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday, playing 45 minutes.

"He's brought in Jean-Kevin Augustin, there's a ray of hope he's going to change it," said the pundit.

"Augustin wasn't even on the bench. That would give everyone a bit of hope, it makes Bamford think he's got to be a little bit more clinical."

Leeds have just two wins in their last 10 outings but now face games against the sides in fourth, five and sixth place in the Championship.

Mills believes the fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Bristol City are highly significant.

"The expectation is huge," he said.

"Last season was the first time a team was top at Christmas and didn't get promoted automatically, didn't get promoted at all. They've been up there, they've been flying high. There's been a huge drop off over the last month or so.

"The next three are massive. After being 2-0 down against Millwall it could have been a disaster for the season, you turn it around and win 3-2, some of the football was outstanding. The next three games are vital to get back to winning ways."