‘Leeds could be in the top four if they were more cautious’

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Gabby Agbonlahor has taken aim at Leeds United once again by criticising manager Marcelo Bielsa’s ‘naive’ tactics, following Saturday’s defeat by Tottenham.

The former Aston Villa captain resumed his war of words with the Yorkshire club on talkSPORT this weekend.

However, he was strangely complimentary at the same time, claiming Leeds would be in the Premier League top four by now if it weren’t for Bielsa’s gung-ho mantra.

Marcelo Bielsa is adored by Leeds fans, but Gabby Agbonlahor has branded the experienced Argentine a ‘myth’

Leeds slipped down to 12th in the table after a 3-0 away defeat to a ten-man Tottenham side this weekend.

The result perhaps brought the Whites back down to earth following their stunning 5-0 victory over West Brom last time out, having once again struggled against one of the top flight’s better teams.

Leeds have impressed massively since their return to the Premier League, but their flowing attacking style has come back to bite them on several occasions – and that’s exactly what happened at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The visitors’ attempts to play it out from the back were punished twice in Spurs’ 3-0 win with Bielsa’s men caught in possession in dangerous areas.

Agbonlahor’s entertaining run-ins with Leeds have been an ongoing thread throughout the season so far, with the former Villa star earning the wrath of fans after previously branding Bielsa and his team ‘a myth’.

Gabby Agbonlahor says Leeds United’s plaudits are hasty and everybody needs to calm down

However, he was strangely complimentary when discussing Leeds’ latest hiccup, claiming the team are one of the most exciting to watch in the top flight.

But Agbonlahor says their attacking strengths are being undone by the defensive weaknesses of Bielsa’s system, and has urged the boss to be more conservative against the top teams.

The former Aston Villa ace believes – surprise surprise – they should be more like Villa themselves…

“I do enjoy watching Leeds and the attacking football they play, but it is a bit naive,” said Agbonlahor on the Sports Bar Weekender.

“Look at Aston Villa against Man United, playing attacking football but with the right balance of defensive responsibilities.

“This isn’t six-a-side when you go out and your centre-halves are going into midfield and doing one-twos like Leeds were doing today. You’re playing against top teams with world-class forward players in their team. You don’t do it.

Leeds were made to pay for their mistakes as Heung-min Son and Harry Kane struck again for Spurs

Leeds’ defensive issues were exposed as Tottenham took their chances against the promoted side

“Just change your tactics, especially when you’ve got so many centre-halves out as well. You’re playing a central midfielder and a right-back at centre-half. When you play against the top teams, be a bit more cautious.

“That’s all my opinion is, just mix it up a bit. It’s not a hard switch to do, most teams do it; Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton, Leicester, they’ll change their tactics to who they’re playing against, there’s no harm in it.

“I’ve got no negative thoughts on Leeds, I’ve been over the moon with Leeds, they’re the most exciting team in the league to play.

Agbonlahor has loved winding up Leeds fans this season, but admits to talkSPORT he loves to watch them play

“But when you’re playing against the top teams and you lose the ball in these areas, you’re going to get punished – these guys don’t miss.

“When you’re playing against West Brom, Sheffield United and Burnley [Leeds have beaten all three this season] you can play like that because they’re more likely to miss chances when you give them them.

“But when you’re playing against top teams, change it up a bit, have a plan B.

“Leeds could be top four by now if they changed their tactics against the top clubs!”

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