Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has hailed Leeds United for their defensive improvements this season, adding that every member of the squad has bought into Marcelo Bielsa's philosophy.
Leeds have received significant attention in the top-flight for their performances this season, earning a deserved reputation as one of the most entertaining sides in the division.
However, criticism has been directed towards Leeds' defensive showings, particularly in the first half of the season, following an array of high-scoring affairs.
Significant improvements have been made in recent weeks though, with a corner being turned following a 4-2 defeat to Arsenal.
That has been recognised by Cascarino, who declared that the entire squad has brought into Bielsa's philosophy at the club.
"To a man, Bielsa has improved every player. I remember watching Dallas at Brentford, where he was a tidy wide player in a decent League One side. Now he is the driving midfield force in a top-half Premier League team," he told the Times.
"I spoke to Liam Cooper, the Leeds centre back, last week and he said that if they could play this way for a 46-game season in the Championship, then why not for a Premier League campaign with eight fewer matches?
"They have certainly improved defensively. Illan Meslier, the goalkeeper, is looking more confident and commanding with every match and the team now defend with a more cohesive structure. Since losing 4-2 away to Arsenal in February, they have conceded only seven goals in eight matches.
"It is clear that the players fully buy into what Bielsa is trying to achieve. How often do you see midtable teams take their foot off the pedal at this stage of the season when they have nothing to play for?
"There is no way a player in a Bielsa team could be 'on the beach'. For Leeds, simply improving and building in advance of next season is achievement enough."
