Kevin Keegan has brandished Leeds United as a "poor man's Newcastle" under Marcelo Bielsa, comparing his Newcastle team from the mid-1990s to the current Leeds team.
Keegan's teams were renowned for playing incessant attacking football, conceding close to as many as they scored.
Under Bielsa, Leeds play in a similar manner. This season, they have scored 38 goals, just five fewer than leaders Manchester City. Only four teams have scored more than Leeds this season, three of which have played more games.
Conversely, Bielsa's team have struggled defensively. Their 38 goals conceded is the joint-third-worst figure in the division, with only Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion having conceded more.
Bottom side Sheffield United have conceded 37 goals, one fewer than Leeds, but have played one more game.
Keegan says that the praise Bielsa is receiving for Leeds' playing style is curious considering he was often criticised for such an approach.
"If you look at it now, Leeds are a poor man’s Newcastle," he told The Athletic. "They play like we did, but they’re not as good as we were.
"Leeds are halfway down the table and their coach is one of the best in the world!
"If I was in charge of Leeds, I would get battered because they’d say defensively I haven't got a clue! They concede too many goals!"
Bielsa has been criticised for his unwillingness to amend his playing style, but the Argentinian insists that he will not change.
After the Manchester United defeat earlier in the season, a game in which Leeds were most heavily criticised for their approach, Bielsa proudly said: "They took advantage of our misplaced passing when we tried to build the attack and this is how they created the majority of their chances.
"If the opposing team is able to impose their style on us it means the opposing manager was able to neutralise it. We will correct things but we will not abandon the way we play."
On the assessment of his team, he added: "When we lose there are questions about the style of play and when we win we are praised for it.
"This is something we just have to take on board."
Leeds travel to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon with the chance to further establish themselves in the top half despite having only earned promotion to the Premier League last season.
