Sam Allardyce drops Leeds United tactical hint ahead of crucial Man City fixture

Leeds United boss Sam Allardyce knows defensive improvement will be vital in order to keep the club in the Premier League. The Elland Road outfit are in relegation trouble and have brought in Allardyce to replace Javi Gracia - who only managed Leeds for 12 games.

It's Allardyce's first managerial job in two years, with West Bromwich Albion his last club. And the first test couldn't be much tougher, with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on a City side who are unbeaten in their last 19 outings.

Pep Guardiola's side are pushing for another Premier League title, with three points against Leeds the next challenge.

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Allardyce has spoken highly of Guardiola and top scorer Erling Haaland, but wants his team to stand up to the test and limit City's opportunities on the day. Leeds have conceded the most goals in the top flight and Allardyce's focus is therefore clear.

"Every player needs to defend when you don't have the ball," he said. "It sounds simple, but sometimes it's more difficult to get your front men (to). Abroad, sometimes your front three don't defend. In the Premier League you don't have that luxury. Man City don't do it. We all have to do our bit. I want players to make life difficult for Man City.

"When we lose the ball, we all have to be compact and we all have to do our bit. Because, if whoever's playing striker stops penetrating passes tomorrow, (they are) doing a great defensive job. I'm not asking him to tackle and win it back, but I am asking him to make life difficult for that defender to pass it to Manchester City's players.

"I think the fact of the matter is the performance defensively has been so poor in the last few