Last season saw an epic tug-of-war struggle for automatic promotion with the Blades eventually coming out on top with a game to go.

Bielsa and Leeds are still regretting an incredibly wasted opportunity for promotion last year while Sheffield United ply their trade against the country’s elite. Chris Wilder’s men saw off stiff competition from Leeds for second place and had to wrestle control off of Leeds on more than one occasion.

What Leeds lacked in was what the South Yorkshire side excelled in and the Whites’ short-comings were eventually taken advantage of by a merciless Sheffield United side. There was much in common between the way both sides played and the managerial styles of both Bielsa and Wilder.

Here, we take a look at three reasons Leeds could learn from last season’s promotion-winning Blades side…

A robust defence is paramount

An old Sir Alex Ferguson quote stands true for last season’s promotion race: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles”. While a title was not on the line primarily between these two last season, it holds the same relevance that while a great attack can win games, a great defence ensures your team are consistently collecting points all season. If you score in a game, it doesn’t guarantee a win; but if you don’t concede, it guarantees you don’t lose.

While Leeds still boasted the second-best defence in the league, it was a contrast to Sheffield United’s (the best), who conceded nine less all season. A far superior goal difference is what ended up putting automatic promotion beyond Leeds with so many occasions where the Blades kept clean sheets (highest in the league - 21) and Leeds may not have held on.

Leeds have already begun to learn from this with Casilla keeping five clean sheets from 10 games thus far, a record which would surpass Dean Henderson’s tally if carried on at the same rate. However, defensive mishaps continue to plague this squad.

Clinical finishing is needed

While Leeds boast some of the most exciting attacking play in the League and did so last season, they are not top scorers (Preston are on 23, eight in front of Leeds). The problem lies in Leeds’ struggles in front of goal, creating excellent chances constantly that aren’t being converted.

Last season, Sheffield United were not the top scorers in the division, they were fourth-highest on 78 goals. While this isn’t extraordinary attacking performance, it is efficient and when coupled with their defence, it left the Blades with the best goal difference in the league (above champions, Norwich).

Leeds are showing more of the same signs with creating dozens of chances a game only to take one or two, with ‘expected goals’ statistics indicating that Leeds should be higher in the table than they are.

The Blades were richer for their experience 

In the 2017/18 season, Sheffield United were newly promoted and looking for further glory by immediately challenging for back-to-back promotion, it never quite came to fruition as they fell off after the new year, missing out on the play-offs.

The following campaign, Wilder and his players were richer for the experience of the season prior and used it to their advantage. They found ways to win games that they wouldn’t have done the season before with more efficient performance, he also added players in the transfer window that were needed to complete his promotion-chasing squad.   

Leeds this time around are richer for the experience of promotion heartbreak, and should use it to their advantage. Having gone through every emotion and scenario possible in a single season, the Leeds players won’t be seeing anything new this season and are better equipped to deal with it.