Brian Deane believes his former side Leeds United have not invested enough into their squad during recent transfers.
The Whites have made just two new signings in the last three transfer windows, with Daniel James and Junior Firpo the only incomings in the last 12 months.
As a result, Leeds have failed to build on the ninth place finish they achieved in their first season back in the Premier League and instead find themselves among the relegation battle.
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In a recent interview with BETDAQ, Deane claimed that there is no time to ‘stand still’ in the top-flight due to the level of investment that clubs are putting into their squads nowadays.
He said: “Last year they were sensational, which goes without saying. This season they’ve been stop-start and I think they’ve been found out a little bit.
“Opposition have scrutinised the way they play, the characteristics of the team… I’m a little bit disappointed the development of the club hasn’t evolved because you can’t stand still, you always have to make changes, even if it’s minute changes.
“The squad needs to keep getting refreshed. You need options and the squad is currently too small, which is causing problems.”
Despite that, though, Deane remains confident that current boss Marcelo Bielsa is the man capable of taking Leeds forwards long-term.
Due to Leeds’ struggles this year, there are murmurs across some sections of the support that it may be wise to call his fourth season his last, however Deane doesn’t agree, providing he receives the backing.
He said: “I’d like to think Bielsa is the right man for the job for the next few seasons. He’s come in and done a fantastic job for the club, but he’s not getting any younger and he’s a long way from home.
“Those are the kind of negatives, but certainly how he sets his side up, it’s got its own identity, and I’d like to think he’s got a plan in place for Leeds United moving forwards. It’s an identity that everyone likes and they want to see progression.”
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