Leeds United Chat • No Pablo No Party?
For teenage Leeds fans Pablo is a legend, he is the Johnny Giles, Gary McCalister, Billy Bremner for modern fans (not in the grand scheme but he is a modern day legend ).
The fans love him, his teammates love him, his manager loves him and even opposition managers love him . . . .when he isnt fit to play them.
Alex Neil highlighted his absence after we played them as a key factor in the result.
We arent as good a side without Pablo.
I cant find exact stats but for 7 games Pablo missed last season we won 2.
For the 6 games this season we have won 2, lost 2 of the 3 games we have lost this season and been statistically worse in every sense.
We have conceded more regularly.
4 goals in 6 games (0.66 per game).
4 goals in 8 games (0.5 per game with Pablo).
We have scored less frequently.
4 goals in 6 games (0.66 per game)
13 goals in 8 games (1.62 per game with).
We have conceded more shooting chances per game.
10.5 without
8.25 with.
We have created less shooting chances on average.
14.8 without
17.5 with.
Obviously there may be other factors but Leeds-Pablo has been a far weaker side for the last 3 seasons.
Ideally Pablo would play every game clearly!!!
But he is 34, has a history of dodgy hamstrings and thigh issues and by the playoffs last season he could barely walk he was so exhausted.
But that being said, we need him back desperately and we need to protect him so that we can get as many games out of him as possible.
For that reason i think he should play as a number 10.
I think while MB got the best out of Pablo statistically last season, the winger role exhausts him, especially given the frantic nature of this style.
He is a 34 year old with a history of injury problems.
He needs to play a role where we can use his skills best but also he can be protected to a degree.
He wouldn't have to do as much running as a 10.
Its a position he frankly is the only real option.
And its the position he is on record as describing as his preferred.
MB needs to protect Pablo better this season, his days of doing the running required of a winger should be over imo.
When The King returns let him have a bit of luxury.
Let younger members of the squad do the donkey work.
We lack a true Enganche atm.
We only have one player truly able to play that role properly.
So hopefully MB when Pablo is 100% fit will allow him to play the role he most wants to in what may be the final season of a modern day legends career.
He is the silent leader who makes his teammates better.
The statistics back that up.
Let the heartbeat of the side play in the heart of the team.