Marcelo Bielsa spoke to the media ahead of the FA Cup clash against Crawley Town in the third round of the competition.

The Whites have lost in their last third round FA Cup ties against Arsenal, QPR and Newport County respectively.

However, on Sunday 10th January, the Whites have a chance of progressing through to the next round against League Two outfit, Crawley Town.

Ahead of the fixture, Bielsa spoke to the media and gave his thoughts.

At VAVEL UK, we have rounded up the five key quotes from the press conference.

Team News update

Leeds United have fallen short with central defenders recently with Liam Cooper, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Gaetano Beradi all being sidelined with injuries.

However, Bielsa gave a much-needed update ahead of the fixture on Cooper and Llorente.

"They’re both okay. Liam is in conditions to play while Llorente is also in conditions to play if needed, but we’re being more cautious with him."

The future of Tyler Roberts

Tyler Roberts has been linked with a move to Derby County since the January transfer window opened.

Bielsa gave his thoughts on the Welsh international: "Tyler as always been in my plans.

"I value him in the football point of view and also in the human aspect. He has an important role inside our team.

"It is true he is having difficulties to manage to have continuity, but, for me, he is a player who is full of resources and very important for us.

"Tyler Roberts is not available for this game, but when he is available he always has options to acquire minutes in the first team."

His thoughts on Crawley Town

Crawley currently sit in sixth in League Two on the back of some good form.

"It's a team that responds to a direct approach and defensive organisation is also a tradition.

"They have two interior midfielders who have creativeness. They have forwards and wingers with the capacity to unbalance a team."

His opinion on a 'circuit breaker'

There have been calls made in the last few weeks for a circuit breaker to be made within football as Covid-19 continues to spread across the country.

"I understand the comment Sam Allardyce made. It's an absolutely logical thought. It's a thought that gives consciousness to the problem we're going through.

"With regards to the question about the circuit-breaker, those who are in charge, the authorities of the competition and the government, I don't think they will take any risks with a small population of the country and, in this case, in professional football.

"It's a segment which is small one, but a privileged one. Everyone who has this problem lives it individually, regardless of the segment of the world they belong to.

"I trust the decisions being made are being taken with reflection and consideration."

The differences in physicality between the leagues

Bielsa gave his opinion on whether this is a difference in physicality between the different leagues, specifically League One and League Two.

"The type of game increases whether the importance of physicality is more or less depending on the style of play and the type of physical qualities that have more importance.

"The ball spends a long time in the air is different to if it's on the ground most of the time. In the air, on the grass, but what I do know with certainty is to play against a team in League One or League Two is not easy.

"In this moment there's games being played in the cup in Spain, if you have a look you will find some unexpected results because what's attractive in football is not necessarily the team who is better wins."

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