I think we missed Phillips today and Bielsa is the best Manager we've had for years. No other Manager has got us to this level. It's frustrating because he's OCD but I wouldn't swap him for what we've had.
We didn't miss Phillips, we played good football without him, and we bossed the midfield without him..
We lost to a stupid goal where Kiko let it go over his head, and no one was on far post.
However, we also lost cos we don't have a striker that can score goals, he's great at nearly goals, but nearly goals don't win games.
We also have a winger who wants to dribble around everyone, including the ref and the corner flag. Every time he tries it, which is very often, he loses the ball, trips over his own feet, gives the ball away or it goes out for a goal kick, everytime that happens he brings our attack to an abrupt halt and hands possession back to the opposing team.
It doesn't matter what level Bielsa has got us too, he got us to this level last season too, and he couldn't get over the final hurdle, if he doesn't get us over the final hurdle this season, then it'll be deja vu and we'll have to start again.
Levels during season mean nothing if you can't get over the final hurdle. I said at beginning of season, Bielsa's stubbornness will be our downfall and it'll come back to haunt him.
I hope we get promoted, but like last season, it's starting to look shakey.........again.