Here is your Leeds United morning digest for Saturday, January 9.
Up for the cup
Leeds United could well field a strong side this weekend following confirmation Marcelo Bielsa does not intend to hand any debuts to his younger players on Sunday.
Bielsa's men go up against John Yems's Crawley Town at The People's Pension Stadium in the FA Cup third round, hoping to avoid what could be a potential banana skin.
The Argentine stated the FA Cup represented "English football in its purest form" and stressed he understood the importance and history of the competition.
He also said he was prepared to go up against a team who respond well to a direct approach, who possess the capabilities to cause Leeds problems.
The Whites do not have a great record under Bielsa in this competition, losing both ties in previous seasons, however those results proved inconsequential.
Bent on Bamford
Patrick Bamford will be desperate to start for Leeds at Crawley, according to former England striker Darren Bent.
Bamford has started every Premier League match for Marcelo Bielsa's side so far this season.
He was left on the bench for the Carabao Cup defeat to Hull City, though, and Bielsa could make changes for FA Cup third-round tie at Crawley.
Bamford has scored 10 goals this term to date and will be keen to get off the mark in 2021.
Despite the busy fixture schedule, Bent believes the Leeds forward will not want to be rested.
“I know Patrick will probably desperate to play again, he’s not scored for a couple of games now, he didn’t even score in the 5-0 against West Brom,” Bent told Football Insider.
“If I was in his shoes, I would want to play, I’d be banging down Bielsa’s door, because I’m thinking: ‘Right, I’ve not scored for a couple games this is an opportunity for him,’ and that’s how you’ve got to look at it.
“There’s a gulf between the two teams in Crawley and Leeds, Leeds create a lot of chances, this is a chance to get one or two goals and get his conference back up. I always used to say this to people because people would say: ‘You’re only scoring against whoever it is,’ but goals breed confidence.
“It doesn’t matter what game you score in, against who, goals breed confidence and right now, listen, he’s probably still confident because he’s got a lot of goals up to this point, but he’s not scored for a couple, maybe his mind is starting to wander a little bit.
“Getting back in against Crawley, getting a couple goals, even if it’s a penalty or something get him a couple goals, then he can kick on again.”
Raphinha insight
With two goals and two assists to his name barely a couple of months into life at Elland Road, it is fair to say Raphinha has settled well at Leeds United following his £17m move from Stade Rennais in France.
It appears the Brazilian's matchday antics were foretold on the training ground before he had even taken to the field for the first team.
Patrick Bamford has told the Official Leeds United Podcast how he was surprised by the 24-year-old's energy and enthusiasm upon his arrival.
“There was times in training where I would be watching Raphinha and then go back into the changing rooms, because we’re in split changing rooms at the minute there’s only four or five in the changing room because of Covid.
“I’d go back in and say 'this Rapha, he’s going to be really good for us’.
"He’s very much like Di Maria, I mean, I’ve never trained or played with Di Maria, but watching him and watching the way Rapha moves, they’re left footed, they’re really slim, the fact they can run all day, he’s fast,” the striker said.
