Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa will treat Crawley Town 'as equals'

Marceloa Bielsa has said he will compete with Crawley Town 'as equals' as he prepares his Leeds United side for the third round FA Cup tie at the People's Pension Stadium.
Leeds United boss Marcelo BielsaLeeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa

Bielsa is likely to put out a young Leeds side but said he is taking the game seriously and said the game 'represents English football in its purest form'.

He said: "An expression of generosity is to compete with them as equals.

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"If you were to tell me the calendar was full of fixtures then I would say yes, that the teams play more games they should I would say yes, that the players suffer due to the minutes played I would say yes. If the industry over observes the interest I would also say yes.

"But this is obviously in the opposite sense, to give hierarchy to a competition that is the essence of football in this country and to pay homage to it by competing. That is to say there are arguments in favour and against."

"For me it represents English football in its purest form. It allows you to link with the history of the clubs in England. That's why I'm very happy to be in this competition.

"The sole fact that we have to analyse the opponent we have to face allows you to take a look into League Two to example, the stadiums, the styles of play. This is very good. And of course the players they are at this level.

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"It's a team that responds to a direct approach, defensive organisation is also a tradition. They have two interior midfielders with creativity and they have forwards and wingers with the capacity to unbalance the team."

SEE ALSO Crawley Town boss John Yems hoping for Leeds United help from FA Cup tie | New signing set for Crawley Town - and it's Mark Wright's brother Josh | Crawley Town boss John Yems hoping to haunt Leeds United's Victor Orta and Angus KinnearHe added: "From my point of view Leeds shouldn't lose contact with the base of football in this country. They give nutrients to the pyramid of the league and also because the ambition to play against these top teams has to be available.

"Thirdly because I feel it's healthy for the bigger teams to be able to be generous with the smaller teams."