Thierry Henry makes Leeds United confession as former Arsenal great highlights Marcelo Bielsa's 'extraordinary' Whites

Newly-promoted Leeds suffered their ninth defeat of the Premier League season in Saturday's 1-0 reverse at home to Brighton in which a below-par Whites mustered just seven attempts at goal and two attempts on target.

United, though, have previously amassed 23 points with Bielsa sticking to his high press, attacking and energetic tactics on a constant basis.

Leeds have had to take the rough with the smooth with fine results such as a 3-0 win at Aston Villa and 5-0 romp at West Brom coming in tandem with setbacks such as a 6-2 hiding at Manchester United and 4-1 reverses against Crystal Palace and Leicester City.

The Whites never got going against Brighton but Leeds have a big admirer in former legendary Arsenal striker Henry who is currently in charge of MLS side CF Montreal.

“You can change your system, make it evolve, but the important thing is to be in agreement with your ideals,” said Henry, talking about the tactics of the game with So Foot.

“Look what Marcelo Bielsa is doing in the Premier League. He can win 4-0 or lose 4-0. But ultimately everyone is watching Leeds.

“I love to see Leeds play, it’s extraordinary.

"I also continue to watch Ligue 1, whether it’s Brest, Lens – I’ll watch everything I can.

Henry added: “The game is an alternation: you can’t always play long and you can’t always play short. You have to vary.

“When you look closely, how many teams in history went down because they were playing long balls and how many teams went down because they were trying to build from the back? It is not that clear.

“You can win a championship by playing counter-attack, or by having 80 per cent possession in the opposing half. The same goes the other way. I just wish all philosophies were respected.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/brighton-game-genuine-worry-leeds-united-and-marcelo-bielsa-have-been-here-graham-smyths-verdict-3103242

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins