Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw has reflected on the 3-4-3 diamond formation that the Whites lined up in against Cagliari Calcio on Saturday.

The pre-season fixture finished a 1-1 draw between Leeds and the Serie A side and saw Marcelo Bielsa set his team up in a new system.

Summer signing Ben White lined up in a back three alongside Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi.

In front of them, Kalvin Phillips played the holding midfield role with Leif Davis and Adam Forshaw either side of the diamond and Mateusz Klich in attacking midfield.

That allowed the Argentine coach to play Helder Costa and Pablo Hernandez either side of Patrick Bamford in a front three.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Forshaw indicated he was encouraged by the new system.

He said: "We had a bit more of a diamond in midfield and then the three up front and I thought, at times, we did well.

“We probably could have come away and won the game in the end.

“The young lads did well as well and the new signings have done well, so it’s positive.”

Forshaw failed to score for the Whites last season in 32 appearances but has suggested he hopes to provide more this season.

He explained: “It’s something I am trying to add to my game a little bit with the high intensity the manager wants us to play at, especially in the number eight and number 10 positions with me and Klichy et cetera.

"I am trying to contribute as much as possible and just help the team as much as I can.”

The Verdict

It is interesting to see Bielsa trying out the 3-4-3 diamond system in his side’s last pre-season game before they face Bristol City on Sunday.

With right-back Luke Ayling set to miss the season opener, Bielsa may be considering switching to that system for the game at Ashton Gate.

The Argentine coach preferred the 4-1-4-1 formation last season but it will be helpful for him to know that he does have some tactical flexibility should he need it.