Their style of football is easy on the eye too
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Leeds United's 3-1 victory over West Brom today meant they finished the Premier League season on 59 points - the highest tally by a newly-promoted side in 20 years.
They also finished with 62 goals scored - a new record for a promoted club in a 38-game Premier League season. Indeed, they scored four more goals than fourth-placed Chelsea.
Earlier in the season, I can remember some of our regular contributors claiming that Leeds had a glorified Championship squad that would be found out as the 20/21 campaign wore on. They clearly didn't and they certainly weren't.
Their style of football is easy on the eye too
Still doesn’t mean we have to like them thou’
Proved me wrong, I expected them to tire.I think over the past 11 games they would be top. Why have Bielsa never managed a top top European side?
Bamford has had an incredible season.
Didn't think he was anywhere near good enough.
It goes to show that promoted teams can flourish in the Premier League, if they’ve got their ducks lined up.
I wonder how much the squad cost.
I hope Leeds get leathered next season and finish bottom
Their fitness levels are incredible.
Thought Bielsa could afford a few English lessons by now?
several people on here were predicting they would be in a relegation scrap not too long ago.
fair play though they've done it in impressive style - and without any stand out players - I can't see the top clubs poaching any of their players for example.
He misses a few mind but gets his tally up as Leeds seem to create so many chances with everyone working hard.
Not too sure they will win many trophies as they leave a lot of gaps but with a bit more quality at the back they will have few problems surviving unlike many promoted sides have found.
That said, hope Bielsa gets poached and it all goes tits up!
I certainly didn't expect Leeds to do as well as they have. They were hardly a special side by Championship standards last season, even if they deservedly won the league.
Without Bielsa I don't know how they'd fare. Certainly not 9th in the Premier League. I even wonder if they would have been promoted. There's no doubt he's been the perfect fit as manager there and their issue will be building on it.
I think a season without fans or very few at times has thrown up a few anomalies tbh.
I think the Leeds situation offered all of us an insight into how teams can retain their EPL status after promotion.
Yes teams can get out of the championship with high intensity, low possession and direct football... but that ultimately alone cannot retain a premier league status. We are testament to that.
Of course, one season doesn't mean that Leeds will sustain their status but I think they have more chance than other teams who went up playing a less possession style game.
So maybe the lesson is that it may take you a while longer to get there it is more sustainable.
Certainly seems that way but let's see. Second season may be more difficult.
Of course, it doesn't me we have to like them.
After promotion from the bottom tier, Swansea spent 3 seasons in League 1 and another 3 in the Championship before making the Premier League. Bournemouth took only 2 seasons in the Championship.
While we can argue that Bournemouth threw money at getting to the Premier League, they had a style of playing that suited the top flight. They spent 5 seasons there. Swansea spent 7 seasons there. Despite us winning the Championship once and being one of the all-time best runners up, we bombed straight back down with a game to spare.