After conceding the second-most goals in the Premier League this season, Leeds United must improve defensively if they are to progress under Marcelo Bielsa.
That is the opinion of ex-Leeds striker Robbie Fowler, who labelled his former team as "annoyingly inconsistent", while also praising their box office approach under the Argentinian.
Bielsa's style has been questioned at different times throughout the season, and there were doubts as to whether Leeds could replicate their dominance in the Championship in the Premier League.
Bielsa, though, is unyielding in his approach and will not change the way Leeds play, no matter what pundits may say after the fact.
He has been criticised for this in the past, especially after a 6-2 hammering by Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Fowler believes that for Leeds to continue improving under their enigmatic manager, they will have to address their defensive issues.
"I wonder sometimes if Leeds fans take a step back from the mad ride to wonder if the team is actually annoyingly inconsistent," he told The Sunday Mirror.
"They concede too many, are vulnerable in areas he seems oblivious to and you could ask if they can progress with such glaring problems."
Fowler, though, did not for one minute suggest that Bielsa should change, and he says that he hopes the "love affair" between the fans, team, and manager continues.
"He’s a maverick," he added. "He’s entertainment, big box office. He’s now been at Leeds longer than any club on his CV. That says a lot about how much the fans love him. I hope that love affair continues."
And Bielsa has repeatedly insisted that he will not change the way Leeds play.
After the United defeat, he proudly said: "They took advantage of our misplaced passing when we tried to build the attack and this is how they created the majority of their chances.
"If the opposing team is able to impose their style on us it means the opposing manager was able to neutralise it. We will correct things but we will not abandon the way we play."
On the assessment of his team, he added: "When we lose there are questions about the style of play and when we win we are praised for it," he added. "This is something we just have to take on board."
Leeds have conceded 38 goals in the Premier League this season. No team in the top half has conceded more than 30 and only West Brom have conceded more in the entire division.
They face Crystal Palace on Monday night with the chance to leapfrog Arsenal and move into the top half.
