Ex-Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has identified a key weakness for his former side ahead of their clash against Brentford this evening according to Football Insider.
Due to the loss of Pontus Jansson this summer, Whelan has claimed they have lost some of their aerial prowess and they will need to be on their mettle in tonight’s game when they come up against their former defender.
Bielsa has confirmed that they are sweating over the fitness of centre back Liam Cooper which could provide a major headache for the Whites boss.
Jansson returns to his former stomping ground and Bielsa will be well aware of his threat in the air and will hope to prevent the former Leeds man from taking advantage at set pieces.
Leeds acquired Brighton’s Ben White on a season-long loan deal in the summer and has proven to be a more than adequate replacement for Jansson so far this campaign.
“Jansson is a big danger at set pieces, we know that,” Whelan told Football Insider. “That is our achilles’ heel and could be our achilles’ heel all season.”
“Opposition coaches and managers know we struggle to deal with long balls into our box and set pieces. We are even more vulnerable if Cooper doesn’t play.”
However their former striker still believes that if Leeds play to their full potential they should have too much quality for this evening’s visitors.
“I predict we will win because I think we have too much for teams at the minute,” he said. “We have an identity and way of playing that teams can’t cope with. We look fit and strong, and have started the season well, so that should be enough.”
