Marcelo Bielsa on Gary Rowett's 'aggressive' Millwall, why the Lions are flying and who is making an impact

MARCELO Bielsa says ‘aggressive’ Millwall are a team full of players who know exactly what boss Gary Rowett wants from them.
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The Lions arrive at Elland Road tonight in terrific form.

Rowett was appointed on October 21, after the departure of club legend Neil Harris, and has done a roaring trade in points ever since – the 29 they’ve accrued from his 15 Championship games in charge is the joint-best in the division with Brentford.

It’s a point more than Leeds have earned in the same time frame.

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They are two points off the play-offs, giving their game with second-placed United a somewhat rare ‘Championship promotion clash’ billing.

Bielsa says the Lions’ understanding of their individual roles and responsibilities is key to their collective performance and form.

And in the likes of winger Jed Wallace and striker Tom Bradshaw, they have players making significant contributions.

“It is an aggressive team, they know how to play, each player has a specific role in the team and they do this to try to be sure that the team plays as they want to play,” he said.

KEY THREAT: Millwall's no 9, striker Tom Bradshaw, pictured celebrating his side's second goal in the 2-1 victory against Leeds United at The Den in October. Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images.KEY THREAT: Millwall's no 9, striker Tom Bradshaw, pictured celebrating his side's second goal in the 2-1 victory against Leeds United at The Den in October. Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images.
KEY THREAT: Millwall's no 9, striker Tom Bradshaw, pictured celebrating his side's second goal in the 2-1 victory against Leeds United at The Den in October. Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images.
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“As every team that is in a good moment, they have some important players, the right full-back, the right winger, the right centre-back, the left midfielder who is not going to play and the number nine.

“In my opinion they are the players who have more impact in the team, but don’t give importance to my opinion, it is just what I think.”

Leeds will be missing Kalvin Phillips through suspension but Bielsa plans to put centre-half Ben White into defensive midfield.

A fixture-less weekend means they have had time to work on the change, integrate new signing Ian Poveda and get players fully fit.

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“The fact that we have to adapt White to a different position, it was something positive for us because we had more time,” said Bielsa.

“Also the incorporation of Poveda, this break allowed us to have more time with him.

"We had time to recover players like Shackleton and Tyler Roberts. So this time allows us to have three more players, Poveda, Shackleton and Roberts.”