Analysis: Marcelo Bielsa’s untouchables meet their match

All eyes have been on Leeds and their Argentine manager who has brought all of his wonderful, yet bizarre eccentricities to English football.

Opting to sit atop an upside-down water cooler; his valiant attempts at speaking English in press conferences and a coaching style reminiscent to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Bielsa has been a welcome addition to the Championship and had Leeds rallying in their opening three matches.

Dismantlement of Stoke and Derby, followed by a more typically hard-fought victory over Rotherham at the weekend left many wondering whether Bielsa had finally furiously awoken the too-long sleeping giant.

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Swansea represented the Whites’ latest challenge, and with scant other options the football fan might have satisfied their Tuesday night craving by tuning into the world-beating Leeds and see exactly why the hype has been heightened so much at this early stage.

Instead, what they would have witnessed was a Leeds side far less optimistic, motivated and hungry. In Bielsa’s first taste of the arduous, demanding Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday Championship schedule, his side evidently had little in the tank as Swansea dominated possession and should have won.

Leeds’ most taxing encounter of the campaign started with a blow, as commanding centre half Liam Cooper was injured in the warm-up. Youthful replacement Jamie Shackleton deputised competently, however the visitors needed a presence in defence.

In brutal terms, those who watched Leeds would have wondered what the fuss is all about. Glimpses of their usual high-tempo passing, for short flashes in each half, offered some suggestion as to what Bielsa is drumming into his players, however aside from those moments the Whites were somewhat ordinary.

Two avoidable goals from a Swansea perspective ensured Leeds extended their unbeaten start to the season. But the result shows that Leeds do have weakness, and also raises questions over whether they can perpetuate this immense strategy over a 46-game period.

Credit to Swansea who always remained on top in front of their home fans. The unpredictability of the Championship struck again – title favourites Leeds could well be vulnerable.