Former Leeds United player Noel Whelan has suggested that the Whites need to be more aggressive on the pitch this season to counteract their “Achilles heel”.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have a weakness when it comes to physical battles, particularly in relation to crosses and set plays.

This issue was highlighted against Nottingham Forest in the first home game of the season where the side failed to deal with a corner and conceded a late equaliser.

Whelan claimed that this was a problem that Leeds had faced for some time but indicated aggression could be the key to overcoming it.

Pressed on whether he felt physical battles was the Whites’ weakness, he said: “Yes, I think it is, we’ve already seen that. This isn’t just this season, that’s been the Achilles heel for a number of years. Not enjoying getting up and being aggressive.

“When you’re not six-foot-three, you’ve got to get your chest up against them, enjoy that physical challenge.

“They’re going to realise maybe it’s not the height, it’s just getting up close and personal. We’ve got to start winning second balls or knocking it into touch. 

“Opposition sides will see a little chink in the armour where they can get at Leeds, that’s going to be an area we’re going to be susceptible.

“People can stop that by being aggressive in the penalty box.” 

Leeds look likely to face some set-piece pressure on Wednesday, as they play Brentford and six-foot-four ex-Whites defender Pontus Jansson at Elland Road.

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The Verdict

Whelan is right, Leeds’ only wobble so far this season has been caused by some poor work defending a set piece.

The Whites lost probably their most physical player when Jansson joined Brentford this summer, which was always likely to cause some issues.

Ben White has made a great start to life at Leeds but the six-foot-one centre-back does not bring the same sort of physicality and Leeds may have to find another way to replace that.

If Bielsa can fix this issue, then the side looks in great shape to push on for promotion this season.