This from a side that managed 27 shots in the 3-0 win at Aston Villa, 25 in the goalless draw at home to Arsenal and 23 in the 1-0 triumph at Everton. Having also been uncharacteristically light in attack in the FA Cup defeat to Crawley Town, Bielsa admits the last two games have left him concerned. “This causes me worry because the fluidity to attack is not the same in the last two games from what we have been used to,” said United’s head coach in the aftermath of last Saturday’s defeat to Brighton. So what can Bielsa do if he wants to change things up and what are the United head coach’s options from within? Lee Sobot takes a look. 1) Play two up front Bielsa has almost always opted to field a formation that uses a lone striker at Leeds and for the vast majority of the time Patrick Bamford has filled the no 9 role. Bamford can be guilty of missing too many chances yet the striker sits seventh in the Premier League golden boot race with ten goals. Moreover, his tireless work rate, constant pressing and excellent hold up play are perfect for what Bielsa demands. Yet could Leeds benefit from playing two up front for a spell whether that be via Rodrigo or Tyler Roberts lining up alongside Bamford? The obvious issue there would be in losing a no 10 – a key creator – a role that has been filled by record signing Rodrigo. Yet there would be ways of playing two up front and a no 10 just in behind such as sacrificing a player further back. Rodrigo pushed further forward in the second half against Brighton but the move didn’t really work with the Spaniard somewhat swallowed up by Brighton’s back five. Roberts, though, looked pretty lively when he came on and has always said he is naturally a striker so there is definite food for thought. 2) Make changes out wide Raphinha has looked a class act and a bargain even at £17m since his arrival from Rennes this summer whilst Jack Harrison was probably United’s best player against Brighton. Yet Bielsa opted to start the duo on opposite flanks to what they are used to with Raphinha lining up on the left and Harrison on the right. But that stopped Raphinha in particular cutting inside to such good effect and reverting to type looks the best bet for Tuesday’s clash at Newcastle United. Bielsa also has other options out wide led by Ian Poveda and Helder Costa but Costa has been disappointing of late whilst Poveda is still learning his trade. Nevertheless, the duo are options at the very least from the bench. 3) Push Mateusz Klich further forward or have Raphinha at number 10 Klich has been a complete revelation since returning to the club after being shipped out on loan to FC Utrecht under Thomas Christiansen back in January 2018. The energetic and super fit Pole has become a virtual ever present of Bielsa’s side yet Klich’s form has dropped slightly of late though that goes for most of Bielsa’s players as well. Speaking to Polish media last year, Klich talked about playing further forward for his country almost as a no 10, and could that be worth trying for the Whites? Quite whether that is explored remains to be seen and Klich’s shooting has been a bit wayward of late but the Pole is a class act and perhaps pushing on a bit is worth exploring, maybe with a view to then putting Jamie Shackleton into the midfield along with Kalvin Phillips. There is no doubt that Phillips was significantly missed against Brighton. As for other options in the no 10 position, Raphinha looks like he could eventually excel in that role and therein lies another possible option though Bielsa has already said that the Brazilian’s traits are best lent to being a winger. 4) Start Pablo Hernandez Bielsa looked to United’s Spanish magician Pablo Hernandez in the 67th minute for his second change against Brighton in replacing Gjanni Alioski as part of a formation reshuffle. Rodrigo had been taken off for Roberts five minutes earlier meaning a front three of sorts with Hernandez at no 10 behind Roberts and Bamford. Hernandez soon began pulling the strings and is clearly still capable of producing the goods at 35 years of age. The Spaniard has only had two league starts this season – in the opening day 4-3 loss at Liverpool and then the 4-1 loss at home to Leicester City – and perhaps that needs to change. 5) Unleash young forwards Leeds have some very talented youngsters within their Academy and 18-year-old duo Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt are at the forefront of the attacking options. Both clearly have huge futures though neither have made a Whites bench for a league game as yet with Greenwood only making the match day squad for the first time in the third round FA Cup clash at Crawley. The teenager was then handed his Whites debut as a 58th-minute substitute yet was deployed in midfield with Harrison up front. Bielsa even said afterwards that Harrison was his next option as a striker if Bamford, Rodrigo and Roberts were not available though sooner or later Greenwood is likely to move up the order. Greenwood and Gelhardt are clearly some way off bagging Premier League starts but perhaps the time is nearing when they should be put on the bench. Whilst both are able to play a number of different positions, Greenwood looks best as a centre-forward and Gelhardt at no 10. Powerful striker Ryan Edmondson who is out on loan at Northampton Town is the other option that springs to mind but again one for the longer term. 6) Change the tactics – or make plan A better There are always calls for sides to change their tactics or shape when matters are not going according to plan but with Bielsa we have been here before. In short, the usual solution when plan A is not working is to make plan A better. Essentially, whilst any of the above suggestions could be considered, that is highly likely to be Bielsa’s first port of call and rest assured Leeds will have been working very hard on the training ground. Strengthening the squad is the other obvious call if the funds are there but Leeds are expected to be quiet in the January window and that seems unlikely to change with just nine days left of it. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/he-will-give-everybody-huge-lift-newcastle-united-receive-massive-boost-ahead-leeds-united-clash-3109580 https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964 A message from the Editor: Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382 Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here. Thank you Laura Collins