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Elliott Jackson & Stephen Killen

Liam Cooper responds to criticism about Leeds United's style under Marcelo Bielsa

Liam Cooper has insisted Leeds United will not deviate from their expansive attacking style of play despite a slow start to the Premier League season.

The Whites' winless run continued against Newcastle United on Friday night as they drew 1-1 after leading the match.

It was a game where United missed several clear-cut opportunities to take all three points, with wasteful finishing and unfortunate refereeing decisions going against them.

With Leeds losing by an aggregate score of 8-1 to Manchester United and Liverpool in their opening four games, it's been suggested by the wider media and some supporters that Marcelo Bielsa should implement a more pragmatic view against top opposition.

Cooper has insisted, though, that Leeds will not later their all-out-attack philosophy this term.

"We’ve been developing and improving this style for four years now and for us to change we don’t have the personnel to do that," Cooper told Sky Sports.

"We pride ourselves in the turnover of the ball and pressing high and we’ve got a focal point with Pat (Bamford) he sets up, when we get the ball higher up the pitch it makes it a hell of a lot easier.

"You have seen at [home to] Liverpool last week it was difficult to turn the ball over and we felt that, but tonight I thought we turned the ball over well, the press was good, enjoyed it but we need to get the ball.

"It’s tough but we demand a lot from ourselves, we’re asked to go defend one-v-one and we’ve been doing it for years. Obviously, the step-up in class is difficult but we’re always adapting.

"We were learning on the job last season and we are still are this season, we’re desperate for that win now and we really need it. At times, we looked really good, we conceded a sloppy goal on our behalf but we're gutted we didn’t win the game."

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