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da marjack bet： EFL on Quest pundit Dean Ashton has weighed in his thoughts on how the Championship playoffs will pan out.
The former West Ham striker rates Villa’s chances against West Brom in that semi-final, but he struggled to call a winner in the matchup between Derby and Leeds.
What’s been said then?
The ex-England forward couldn’t choose between the Whites and the Rams. He claimed that the battle of wits between the two managers will be where the tie is decided.
Bielsa vs Lampard is quickly becoming one of the best managerial rivalries in England. Following the spygate controversy the two were embroiled in a war of words and the mind games have already started this time as well.
The 35-year-old Quest pundit believes that Leeds will be calling upon their manager’s superior experience to get the better of their opponents in this two-legged tie.
As quoted by the Birmingham Mail, Ashton said on Quest: “It is a different Derby but I think Leeds will try to do what they did in those games, which is to try and bully and out muscle and outwork Derby and make it really difficult.
“But you just wonder whether mentally, both sides whether Derby looking at them results earlier in the season, or Leeds’ lack of confidence. It’s going to be down to the managers and how they set their teams up.
“This is where if you are a Leeds fan you are hoping [Marcelo] Bielsa’s experience will help.”
Experience of winning
Although Bielsa has almost 30 years of managerial experience over Lampard, the trophy haul of the two men couldn’t be more different.
The Argentine has time and time again fallen at the final hurdle when it matters. He has runners up medals in the Europa League, Copa Libertadores, Copa America and Copa Del Rey.
In fact, he hasn’t won a cup competition throughout his entire career, barring an Olympic triumph in 2004 which isn’t the most competitive of tournaments.
On the other hand, the Englishman is a born winner. He lifted eight cups whilst at Chelsea and also won three league titles.
The 63-year-old’s experience may not help him here as he has often proven he can’t carry his team over the finish line. In contrast, the Derby boss has had a playing career littered with trophies and accomplishments.
Undoubtedly Bielsa has more managerial experience than Lampard, but when it comes down to winning in pressure situations, there aren’t many men in world football who can trump the Rams gaffer.