Whelan Exclusive: This is what scares me about Leeds ahead of restart
Noel Whelan fears how Leeds United will cope with the physical might of Cardiff City and their set-piece excellence in Sunday’s showdown.
The former Leeds and Coventry striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, suggested the pressure of promotion could also be a factor for United’s performance at the restart.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side travel to the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday to face a physical Neil Harris side which held Leeds in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Elland Road earlier in the season.
The Championship leaders currently have a seven-point buffer between themselves and third-placed Fulham, who they face a week on Saturday.
Whelan was adamant this Sunday’s fixture would be a tricky start for the Whites but thinks the absence of fans will work in their favour.
“We need to be very cautious about this game,” he told Football Insider.
“We need full concentration if we are to get something out of this game. They are a very good side with a lot of dangerous players. We need to respect them.
“However, they have no crowd on their side and we need to believe in what we do. We are top of the league for a reason.
“We need to find that form, intensity and pace quickly. If we can do that we will come out as winners in this game but it is the set pieces that worry me.
“We have not had much time or contact either. Cardiff like that contact. We need to be worried about that.
“If you do not hit the ground running then you could really struggle. Three games into it, if we have not found our rhythm, the players will be thinking about things a bit harder.”
In other Leeds United news, Danny Mills claims Whites are “in the box seat” to sign Ben White permanently.