As we approach the halfway point of the Sky Bet Championship campaign, Marcelo Bielsa can look back at the first six months of his tenure at Leeds United with huge pride and optimism.

After a disappointing last few years for the club, the 63-year old has transformed the Whites into real promotion contenders - on the back of four successive league victories, they sit second in the Sky Bet Championship table five points clear of third place.

Leeds haven't had the greatest of luck with managers over the last few years - Garry Monk walked out on the club for Middlesbrough, and the appointments of Thomas Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom ultimately turned out to be failures.

But, Leeds have got extremely lucky with Bielsa - he is a manager rated by many and has more experience than perhaps anyone else in the Championship.

Here, we take a look at FIVE things we've definitely learnt about Bielsa in 2018 at Leeds United...

Pep Guardiola spoke very, very highly of Bielsa when he was appointed at Elland Road, and it's clear to see where the Spaniard's brand of football has been inspired from - Bielsa.

Leeds' football under Bielsa has improved dramatically - their fast paced movement and pressing has been superb, and on the ball they often dominate games at Elland Road, accruing extortionate rates of possession over 90 minutes.

They play arguably the best football in the league.

Even when the chips are down, Leeds know how to grind out a result.

On more than one occasion, the Whites have gone behind and have had to dig in and grind out a result, regardless of how ugly they have had to do so.

A month or so ago they went 1-0 down away to Wigan Athletic in the first ten minutes, and had to dig in and grind out a result, and they got their just rewards with a 2-1 victory.

They can win games by all means necessary, and this is down to Bielsa.

Who would have thought that Kemar Roofe would be Leeds' top goalscorer after the last few years he's endured? Who would have thought that Matuesz Klich would be a standout performer in midfield after being frozen out last season?

This is all down to Bielsa and his man-managment - for Roofe to score 10 goals in 16 games despite only netting 17 times in his last 88 games for the club shows just how good of a coach Bielsa really is.

Only Marcelo Bielsa could wear a full Leeds United tracksuit around town.

Whatever you think of his dress sense - it's clear that Bielsa loves Leeds United and the city. He has already spoken about his love for Yorkshire and it'll be a breath of fresh air for Leeds fans that they have a manager who is so in love with the club.

Bielsa has already shown what a magician he is when it comes to tactical decisions.

Against QPR a week ago, in a last-ditch attempt to win the game, the R's subbed on striker Matt Smith, who would initially be put against Kalvin Phillips.

Immediately spotting the danger, Bielsa subbed on young Aapo Halme, who immediately man-marked Smith and nullified his threat.

It's a very simple change, but one that many managers wouldn't dare to make in the dying embers of the game.

He knows what he's doing.