SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell has revealed Leeds United came close to cancelling their pre-season friendly at Roots Hall because the Shrimpers did not have numbers on their shirts.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa hit the headlines this week after revealing the club had spied on all their forthcoming opponents in training.

Bielsa then held a press conference to reveal the in-depth analysis carried out by his staff.

But that level of work started in pre-season as Leeds prepared to take on Blues.

“We’ve got experience of what Leeds are about this season as we played them pre-season,” said Powell.

“Our first game was Great Wakering and on the Saturday I had a phone call from a member of Leeds’ staff asking if they could come and watch our game.

“But when we played them (Leeds) we didn’t have shirt numbers and they didn’t like that because they didn’t know our players from scouting them.

“They didn’t want to play the game so I said they could be the ones to go out and tell the fans but ultimately they relented.”

However, Powell feels Bielsa has now gone too far after it was revealed he had sent spies to watch opponents’ training sessions.

“In the eyes of everyone we just feel he’s gone a step too far but if it’s something he’s always done then he’s not going to change,” said Powell.

“I know the gentleman who was caught was actually in public right of way so technically he’s OK to be there but you wouldn’t catch me doing that.

“It goes beyond the ethics of the game.

“However, he’s pre-empted everyone with his press conference and showing everyone what we all do with the analysis.”