‘Breath of fresh air’ – Exclusive: McAvennie raves about Bielsa ahead of Leeds v West Ham
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has been raving about Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa ahead of West Ham’s clash against the Yorkshire club at Elland Road on Friday night.
Bielsa has transformed Leeds from a mid-table Championship club to what that is wowing fans every week in the Premier League, earning himself a spot among the three finalists for FIFA’s manager of the year award.
Ex-West Ham striker McAvennie is clearly a massive fan of Bielsa and the way he has brought Leeds closer to it’s once-alienated fanbase.
He also enjoyed the whole Spygate saga that saw the Argentine come to blows with former Hammers player Frank Lampard when he was in charge at Derby.
“He’s a breath of fresh air, he’s just what English football needed,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“When he came in he was arguing with Frank Lampard at Derby because he was spying on him. It wasn’t a Wenger-Fergie argument – but it was up there. It was good to watch.
“But listen, he has them playing a certain way.
“Every player you see on TV, they’re talking about the man rather than the manager and it’s nice to see that because it’s good for football with respecting people and helping out fans.
“I’m a good friend of and a big fan of Eddie Gray, who was at Leeds and is always about. He just loves Leeds United.
“Bielsa has got the players buying into that community thing. It’s great to see that. Football is so distanced from the fans.”
Bielsa’s style of play has impressed a lot of people since Leeds returned to the Premier League.
However, there’s no time for David Moyes and his players to be in awe of the Argentine’s work on Friday night when they face off against the Whites at Elland Road.
Leeds are beatable and other than the defeat to Manchester United last week, West Ham have been in very good form.
According to stats by FBRef, Leeds have the second-highest xGA (expected goals against) in the Premier League at 20.5 while their defensive record is the third-worst [20].
West Ham have not been in as many high-scoring games as Bielsa’s side has this season because Moyes has drilled into this team to keep it tight at the back while also being explosive and full of flair when going forward.
It could be a tight game on Friday but we’re predicting a win for the Irons.
In other West Ham news, this is how the Hammers can exploit Leeds’ weakness on Friday night.