Leeds United were "unlucky" to miss out on promotion last season, according to Fulham defender Cyrus Christie, but the Republic of Ireland international believes all of the Whites are still buying into Marcelo Bielsa 's vision.
Second-place United make the trip down the M1 to Craven Cottage on Saturday for the first game in a four-match festive stretch over 12 days that culminates in the New Year against Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion.
Their hosts are in something of a rut, having lost three on the trot to leave them in sixth, on the edge of dropping out of the play-off places if results fail to materialise in their favour.
Speaking to his club's official website , Christie acknowledged the magnitude of the test ahead, singling out Leeds and in particular Bielsa for praise at how they have come together as a unit since the latter's arrival.
“Leeds are in the top two at the minute and are obviously a good side,” he stated. [Marcelo Bielsa] has come in and he’s done really well.
"I know a few of the lads who have played under him at Leeds and they said he was really good to work for. He’s implemented his style and we’ve got to match it, we’ve got to be better than them, and I’m sure we can.
“I’ve seen quite a bit of them this season. Clearly they’re all buying into it and I’m sure they’re going to be around come the end of the season.”
“I think they were unlucky last year - they kind of faded off a bit which didn’t help them but they’ve come back strong. We know what we’re going to face, we’re in for a tough game.
“They’re full of confidence while we’re probably low on the confidence side on the back of these results, but this is where we’ve got to stand up and be counted, and show true character to get through the game. If we play how we know we can, there’s no reason we can’t get the win.”
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