Former Leeds United midfielder Michael Brown has implored the club to back Marcelo Bielsa in the January transfer window as they look to earn their long-awaited promotion back to the Premier League.
United went top of the Championship as they struck late to beat Reading 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium.
Jack Harrison headed in with just three minutes remaining to take Leeds to the summit for 24 at least, with title rivals West Brom playing tomorrow.
Bielsa’s side are well-placed to once again challenge for a return to the top flight, having not been back in the Premier League since their relegation in 2004.
But, speaking after the victory over Reading, Brown believes the Argentine boss needs to be backed in January if Leeds are to finally make it over the line.
“Last season in the transfer window, they didn’t actually strengthen,” Brown told Sky Sports.
“I think at that point, and you’re talking about at the top end of the pitch, who can help (Patrick) Bamford?
“They’ve brought in (Eddie) Nketiah who’s hardly played, so will he be still there?
“They do need a little bit of help in a couple of areas. It gives you that buzz when somebody comes in and raises everybody.
“They need to try and help Marcelo Bielsa with a couple of signings in the window, and I’m sure that would see them over the line.”
It looked to be a frustrating night for Leeds as they were held by their hosts at the Madejski Stadium until the final few minutes, with Harrison latching on to Helder Costa’s deflected cross to secure the win.
And Brown sees that latest victory as a sign of the development undertaken since last season’s play-off semi-final defeat.
“The problem with Leeds United is you’ve just got to be careful, because everybody gets carried away,” Brown said.
“When you’re playing for the club, they’re so desperate because it’s been such a long time out of the Premier League.
“You just hope that they can continue at this rate, because when it falls away, then the pressure builds very quickly as it did last season.
“I’m not sure they’re a better team, but they’re maybe learning from their mistakes, learning how to grind out results, and this was a perfect example of that.”
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