Why Marcelo Bielsa believes the trip to Wigan is a 'must win' for Leeds United

Marcelo Bielsa believes his Leeds United side "have to win" against Wigan Athletic this weekend to help justify his ideas as a head coach.
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

The Whites make the trip to the DW stadium on Sunday lunchtime following the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at Elland Road last weekend.

United picked up a late point thanks to a controversial leveller from Kemar Roofe which sees them sit second in the table just two points behind leaders Sheffield United.

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Paul Cook's men were humbled last time out at the hands of the table toppers in a 4-2 defeat at Bramall Lane but the Latics boast a strong home record.

Wigan have picked up 17 points on home soil this season in just seven games which is the the joint most in the division alongside the Blades despite the Cook's side having played a fixture less.

Five wins, two draws and no defeats signal the task ahead of Bielsa's squad as they head of the Pennines but the Argentine believes his side must do their best to come away with three points having drawn in LS11 last time out.

"For me the next opponent that I am playing against is always a tough one and I never underestimate them," said Bielsa.

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"I always think that the opponents are always strong enough to impose an important challenge to our skills. We always have the hope to win. We have just drawn at home and it makes it important to win an away game.

"On the other side when someone talks so much the best thing to avoid criticism against my ideas is to win the game so we have to win."

The 63-year-old was also questioned over the odd statistic that no team Leeds have faced in the league this season being able to win their following fixture in the Championship.

"What we could ask for is to play one game after an another," Bielsa replied with a smirk.