RECAP: Leeds United v West Ham United - Marcelo Bielsa press conference, team news including Patrick Bamford injury update
and live on Freeview channel 276
Leeds United continue the hunt for their first win of the season this Saturday at Elland Road.
David Moyes' West Ham are winless in three league matches, but strong opening victories against Leicester City and Newcastle United have put them firmly in the top half of the table as they sit in 8th place, two points shy of a European qualifying spot.
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Hide AdThe Hammers did the double over Leeds last season, and if Bielsa's men can secure a win, it'll be the first West Ham victory achieved since 2005.
Bielsa will speak to the media at 12.45pm and all of the latest news will follow here after the press conference's conclusion.
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Marcelo Bielsa’s pre West Ham United press conference
Is it a case of being more ruthless with chances, if so, can that be coached or does it have to come from players themselves?
MB: “Efficiency is for teams who are in a good run of form. What is trained is the mechanisms to create offensive football. After the final shot is a goal or not, that's less trainable. The conditions of an official match in relationship to the shot that is scored or missed can't be reproduced on a training pitch.”
What did you think of Jamie Shackleton on Tuesday? Could he be CDM in future?
MB: “Shackleton is a player that whatever he proposes to himself, he is able to achieve it. As long as what he is longing for has links to his characteristics. And the resources that he has allow him to play as a full back and as a defensive midfielder. His original position of mixed midfielder, which is his true position, allows him to be able to defend out wide and to play in the middle. In both positions he knows how to defend and how to manage the ball.”
What have you thought to Stuart Dallas’ performances so far this season?
MB: “They have not been at the same level last year, I think you know this when you asked me it. There are reasons to understand why it's not that way. Every game he plays he plays a little bit better than the previous one. I have every confidence that next Saturday or the following Saturday, or in a short space of time, he's going to come back to his high level. It's not that I have confidence - I am sure of it.”
Did you always think this season would be harder than last? What concerns you more, goals conceded or goals scored?
MB: “I never imagined anything easy. The two things that you make reference to have a margin for correction. Even when we receive a few goals we receive more chances than we should. We've not only had problems with efficiency, but to elaborate, more chances are created dangerously. So we have a margin for correction in both aspects.”
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