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Leeds United’s week ended in disappointment on Saturday evening as they were completely exposed by Norwich City in an enthralling encounter at Elland Road.

News breaking on transfer deadline day suggested that Daniel James was nailed on to complete a switch to Leeds, but the disappointment over the collapsed deal fell into insignificance when Norwich fired home a killer third goal on Saturday to consign Bielsa’s promotion chasers to their third defeat in five outings.

Daniel Farke’s side arrived with a coherent game plan and, with little by way of protection sitting in front of Leeds’ back-four, his strong contingent of skilful attacking players sliced the hosts open time and time again.

How can Bielsa resolve the problem against Middlesbrough?

The expectation which preceded the gargantuan top of the table clash was perhaps too much for the players to handle, but one major factor was undoubtedly at play.

Bielsa, for all of his plaudits, made a fundamental error by omitting Kalvin Phillips from the starting eleven. In the absence of a midfield enforcer Leeds were hopelessly exposed, with kamikaze style defending arising from a glaring lack of protection in front of the back-four.

Fortunately, though, there is an incredibly easy and simple solution to the obvious problem: bring back Phillips against Boro.

Back to basics 

After watching his side crumble defensively, recalling Phillips will be one of the easiest decisions Bielsa has had to make in his transient Leeds career.

The midfield combination of Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw simply couldn’t handle Norwich’s fine selection of attacking players, as Onel Hernandez, in particular, managed to drift in from the touchline to exploit space in the hole between Leeds’ line of defence and midfield.

After conceding three goals at home it’s time for Bielsa to go back to basics; solidifying his defensive unit should be the priority ahead of the weekend.

Boro’s physicality and style of play necessitates the inclusion of a midfield anchor in Phillips who will protect the back-four and provide a commanding physical presence to deal with long balls.

Despite his decent showing against Norwich, Tyler Roberts could be the player to make way for Phillips, forcing Klich forward into a more attacking-minded midfield role.