Marcelo Bielsa has been widely praised for bringing a new style of football to Leeds United.
The attacking approach at Elland Road is undoubtedly good enough to guide the Whites to promotion; it’s more a case of keeping it going, fighting off tiredness and believing in the method.
That’s a more mental aspect; and two recent developments have shown that Leeds have that fortitude under the Argentine.
A first team star’s comments on the back of Saturday’s battling draw prove that this Leeds side are mentally resilient; that Bielsa has brought steel as well as style.
Saturday’s draw
Leeds were on the end of a debatable penalty on an afternoon where their passing game didn’t quite come together; but still came back to earn a draw against one of the best sides in the division.
Pontus Jansson epitomised that never-say-die attitude; the one that Leeds will need as the season goes along.
That’s what earned Leeds a result in the face of officiating injustice – which will also happen as the campaign wears on.
Forshaw’s comments
Adam Forshaw’s post-match comments underline that new resilience. He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “There’s so much football to be played but we’ve shown character in games which I’d probably say wasn’t quite there last season. It’s a big difference and that can carry us through.
“I’m slightly disappointed (with Saturday’s result) because with the quality we’ve got now we want to win every game, especially at home. But after going behind, we’ve shown our character again and we’ve not lost.”
Forshaw can also tell the difference in the club now; Saturday’s game was just the latest in which the squad have shown their battling qualities.