Good morning, Leeds fans. Here is your morning digest for Sunday, November 1.
Pulis fawns over Bielsa and Leeds
Tony Pulis has heaped praise on Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United for their "refreshing" approach to life in the Premier League.
The coaches faced off during the 2018/209 Championship campaign when Pulis was in charge at Middlesbrough, during which the two sides played out a pair of draws.
Boro eventually dropped out of the play-offs and Pulis was allowed to leave after the expiration of his contract which has allowed him to enjoy Leeds from a distance.
"The great thing about Leeds United, without a question of a doubt, is the way they've approached games," he told Sky Sports.
"They've had no inhibitions whatsoever. He's got a way of playing and a system of playing. They run forward quickly and I tell you what, they run back just as quickly.
"They're looking to penetrate all of the time. They get runners, they get set-ups and when they do get it in that final third, they fill the box. I think it's refreshing, it's lovely to watch.
"I don't think they play backwards, square, sideways. They play forward when they can. He works non-stop on it. He gets the lads as fit as fleas. I think they've got the best running stats in the Premier League so far. They've got a system. He's got a way of playing.
"It's lovely to watch and I really, really enjoy it. You have teams that you watch, you can't work out what they're trying to do. Leeds United have an identity. You can see it in them. The belief that they have at the moment is absolutely first class."
Leeds pay tribute to Marius Zaliukas
Leeds have paid tribute to former defender Marius Zaliukas following his passing at the age of 36.
The Lithuanian Football Federation confirmed yesterday the centre-back has died in a statement on their website.
"Marius Zaliukas represented the Lithuanian national team from 2006 to 2016 and managed to score one goal," the statement read. “Marius inspired countless young footballers, and his contribution to Lithuanian football will never be forgotten.
“On behalf of the Lithuanian football community, we express our deepest condolences to Marius’ family.”
Zaliukas enjoyed a brief spell with Leeds during the 2013/14 season, making 15 appearances.
Leeds avoided potential transfer mistake
This summer, Leeds were linked with a string of ambitious moves, including one for Jonathan David.
The Canadian international was on the books of Belgian side Gent but was a target for the Whites. However, they would have had to pay around £27 million to secure his services.
In the end, Leeds opted not to do a deal for David and turned their attention to targets elsewhere, eventually bringing in Rodrigo Moreno from Valencia.
"Contacts were stopped this week, but other clubs are still interested, with much better proposals even, including Leeds,” club chairman Ivan De Witte said in July.
Four months on and it appears Leeds made the right decision. David has been a regular for new side Lille but, after making ten appearances for the French side, is yet to open his account.
Victor Orta has been heavily praised for the deals he did in the summer transfer window, but he deserves credit, too, for pulling out of a big-money move for the 20-year-old.
