This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Despite the fact that Leeds are a fair way ahead of Cardiff in the Championship table, the Whites’ game against the Bluebirds on Saturday may not be as straightforward as they’d hope.
Cardiff aren’t the best or prettiest team in the league, but their particular style can work wonders against team’s that lineup in a certain way, and Leeds could fall victim to that.
Cardiff’s threat
Unsurprisingly, a team that has been managed by both Neil Warnock and Neil Harris this season have quite an aerial threat up front.
Indeed, Gary Madine and Robert Glatzel win 5 and 4.7 aerial duels per game respectively, and with Leeds’ centre-backs Ben White and Gaetano Berardi standing at 6 foot and 5 foot 10 respectively, it could be a long old afternoon for the backline.
Leeds have previously struggled with aerial threats, most famously in last season’s game against Birmingham City where Lukas Jutkiewicz bullied the Whites’ backline as he won a massive 14 aerial duels in a single game as the Blues overcame the Yorkshire outfit.
Fortunately, Bielsa could be able to prevent Cardiff using their aerial threats by employing one man in a slightly different role.
Phillips’ ability
The Whites’ saving grace in this scenario may be Kalvin Phillips.
The defensive midfielder is also able to be utilised at centre-half, and he has an incredible record of winning headers when playing in a slightly deeper role.
Indeed, last season, while playing as a centre-back Phillips won on average 5.8 aerial duels per game, and if he can continue that record then he could be a crucial component in nullifying one of Cardiff’s main threats.
Bielsa should consider asking Phillips to drop into a deeper role this weekend in order to counteract the aerial bombardment that United may face against the Bluebirds.
It could just prove crucial in their bid to go eight games without dropping a single point.
Meanwhile, Leeds have been linked with a striker who has been outperforming Kemar Roofe in Belgium.
