Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa believes Derby County have performed better than their results suggest as he praises Phillip Cocu ahead of Saturday’s clash, LUTV report.
The Rams travel to Leeds having won just one league game this season.
Leeds, meanwhile, are top of the Championship table and many expect them to get their revenge on the Rams following that memorable Elland Road playoff encounter in May.
But Bielsa isn’t taking his opponents lightly. Speaking to LUTV, the Argentine feels Cocu has plenty of prestige as a manager and backs Derby to improve with time.
Cocu is a manager with a lot of prestige. He has a link with ball possession and both creative and dynamic play. But with a new manager, adaptation needs time. He is a manager trying to impose his own style. Absences, injuries and the new style, have all had an impact on the team. The performances Derby have had is better than the results they’ve had and their play they have does not reflect the table.
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Phillip Cocu walked into a big challenge at Derby County:
While Bielsa hit the ground running upon his arrival at Leeds, Cocu has on the other hand struggled in his opening period as Derby boss.
The former Barcelona player arrived following Frank Lampard’s move to Chelsea in early July. He barely had a pre-season to work with the players at Derby. Moreover, there was a lack of recruitment following the exits of loan players Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount and Harry Wilson.
After an opening day victory at Huddersfield Town, the Rams head to Leeds having failed to win their last six Championship games, drawing four of them.
The 3-0 defeat at Brentford certainly raised doubts. Cardiff was an improvement, but Leeds will pose an entirely different threat and Derby must stand up to the challenge.
Cocu’s task will be made harder with Jayden Bogle (injury) and Tom Lawrence (suspension) absent. Leeds, however, have no fresh injury worries.