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Chris Watson

Leeds United loanee pinpoints the mental trait you need to play for Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds United defender Barry Douglas has been lifting the lid on what it is like to play for Marcelo Bielsa.

Douglas joined Leeds from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2018 and helped the team win promotion from the Championship last season.

The Scotland international, who has made 45 appearances for the Whites, is currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers.

He has been opening up on his time at Leeds as part of a new radio documentary on talkSPORT entitled "Obsessed: Bielsa's Beautiful Game".

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It takes a deep dive into the illustrious career and methods of the Argentine, who has become one of the most respected coaches in world football.

"For one, I think a lot of the responsibility and onus gets put on the player, because you need to be willing and open-minded for the way Marcelo's philosophy is," said Douglas.

"The players needs to take responsibility to buy into it, otherwise it doesn't work.

"I think once you understand his ways and how it's going to work - it is difficult, don't underestimate that for a minute, it is really difficult - but the results are there, with the winning of games and getting promotion.

"So, it works. It works."

Leeds are 15th in the Premier League table after taking 10 points from their opening eight games.

They have claimed victories over Fulham, Sheffield United and Aston Villa, while taking a point against Manchester City and giving reigning champions Liverpool a major scare before going down 4-3 at Anfield.

Bielsa's men have earned plenty of plaudits for their positive approach, though successive defeats to Leicester City and Crystal Palace have provided something of a reality check heading into the international break.

 
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