DURING these uncertain times there is perhaps something we can rely on – a Leeds wobble when it comes to the crunch part of the season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side should already be planning for their assault on the Premier League after a 16 year absence.
Junior Hoilett set Cardiff on their way with a brilliant left-footed strikeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Sub Robert Glatzel made the points safe in the second halfCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But the 106-day delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown means they are now sweating about a top-flight return.
When the season was stopped back in March, they were seven points ahead of Fulham, who sit just outside the automatic play off places.
And, despite that gap remaining after the Cottagers’ defeat to Brentford, there are now worries at Elland Road that they could bottle it again.
Bielsa blasted his team’s costly errors in the Welsh capital and admitted promotion is not a given.
He said: “Everything is in our hands, we can’t think about the opposition. It’s the same situation as it was before today.
“The opportunity that we had was important and we couldn’t take advantage of it. Now we have eight matches and we cannot think everything is set.
“We could have won, we should have won. We created enough chances to score the necessary goals. Cardiff needed our mistakes to score.
“In this match, the opponent shot twice and scored twice. It’s not normal.”
Patrick Bamford had a wretched day in front of goalCredit: Rex Features
On paper at least, Bielsa’s side looks good enough for automatic promotion and in fairness they were impressive here until Junior Hoilett put the Bluebirds in front in the 35th minute.
Kalvin Phillips, Ben White, Mateusz Klich and Patrick Bamford all had chances for Leeds to break the deadlock before Luke Ayling’s effort was hooked off the line by Will Vaulks.
The visitors looked comfortable but perhaps Phillips was feeling too relaxed as his sloppy pass fell to Hoilett.
The winger raced forward as Leeds backed off and he took a touch before unleashing a fine strike from outside of the box past Illan Meslier.
It was a cracking goal and somewhat fitting, as Hoilett celebrated by holding up a Cardiff shirt bearing the No7 with “Whittingham” on the back.
The tribute was to former Bluebirds midfielder Peter Whittingham, who died earlier this year after suffering head injuries from a fall. He was just 35.
Leeds pressed for a way back but Bamford blocked teammate Jack Harrison’s goal-bound effort.
After the restart, it was again the visitors who enjoyed the better spells as Helder Costa was a constant threat.
Marcelo Bielsa has admitted that promotion is not a givenCredit: Rex Features
As the minutes ticked down, Bielsa became more animated and vocal on the touchline.
“Very good,” shouted the Argentine after every failed Leeds attack. I’m sorry, Marcelo. It wasn’t very good at all.
What was rather good was Robert Glatzel’s goal for Cardiff on 72 minutes as Leeds again became the masters of their own undoing.
Liam Cooper’s pass to Ezgjan Alioski was woefully short and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing took full advantage.
His cross for substitute Gratzel still required plenty of work and the German thumped home from the edge of the box.
Two excellent strikes from Cardiff, but at the other end, Bamford was spectacularly wasteful.
There are doubts whether the striker could cut it in the Premier League and his glaring miss three minutes from full-time will do little to dispel those fears.
The win lifts Cardiff up to seventh in the table, level on points with Preston, who occupy the final play-off place.
Leeds are the best team in the division and we have beaten them and West Brom at home.
Neil Harris
And Cardiff boss Neil Harris says his side are capable of breaking – and finishing – in the top six.
He said: “To score the goals we did, and play in the manner we did, I am delighted.
“It shows everybody that we have not been affected by the lack of crowd, we managed that really well.
“It shows me the players want to play. They are all ready and we can compete with the best teams in the division.
“Leeds are the best team in the division and we have beaten them and West Brom at home.
“We are going in the right direction and the players are hungry to do more. We are getting better all the time and there is more to come from this group.”
Pontus Jansson says Marcelo Bielsa is a ‘God’ but he prefers ‘a coach you can talk with’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
