Former Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis believes that Leeds United's hierarchy backing Marcelo Bielsa in the January transfer window will be the key in United's quest to achieve promotion to the Premier League this term.
The Whites made it back-to-back wins on Saturday with a 2-1 home success over Blackburn Rovers, meaning they remain hot on the heels of second-placed Preston North End ahead of the international break.
After coming so close to ending their Premier League exile last season, only to suffer play-off heartache at the hands of Derby County, United, right now, look well equipped to go one step further.
But for Leeds to get over that line, head coach Bielsa needs to be backed in January, that is according to Pulis, who appeared on Quest's EFL highlights show on Saturday evening.
Pulis said: "He will know what they need, it's just whether the board can afford to bring in what he needs.
"They came very, very close last year. I think a lot of people were very surprised at the end of the season that they didn't do it, because at the beginning of the season I thought they were absolutely outstanding. I couldn't see them being stopped.
"They fell away at the end, but they are there again.
"I still don't think they have reached the performances and levels of last year but have a look where they are."
Pulis, who remains out of work since he left Middlesbrough in the summer ended by insisting he is convinced by Leeds' promotion credentials.
"They won't be far away," he insisted.
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