Jesse Marsch reveals sleepless nights at Leeds United results as he outlines goalscoring advice to Patrick Bamford
Jesse Marsch used his latest press conference to outline his belief that good results are just around the corner for Leeds United – but admits their current run of form is giving him and his players a lot of sleepless nights.
The Whites travel to Leicester on Thursday in desperate need of a vital boost. Since recording a 3-0 win over Chelsea in August, they are yet to win a Premier League game since, taking just two points from their last six games. And with that run seeing them lose four in six, Leeds may find themselves in the relegation zone come the final whistle on Thursday.
Despite their struggles, though, performances of late have, generally, been good. They were the better side for large spells against Arsenal, only to slip to a 1-0 defeat with a Patrick Bamford penalty miss proving costly.
And they also let slip a 1-0 lead at Crystal Palace despite being the far superior side in the opening 45 minutes.
However, Marsch knows it is a results business and hopes they soon get their rewards.
“We need more goals. It’s as simple as that,” Marsch said. “We need to get leads and capitalise when we are on top. We cannot have a situation whereby we come off the field, like against Arsenal, where we know we’ve played well and got nothing.”
He added: “We know the responsibility that we have and it is my responsibility to make this group successful. That is really all down to me, though I see this as a group project. The Leicester game is not an absolute must-win – I don’t want to put that pressure on the players.
“But I believe we are on the cusp of that and of better results.
“The last win, OK, was a couple of months ago, but it does not feel like that. The group remains together and confident and feels good. It’s the unforgiving nature of this league. We are doing a lot of things right.
“No one us sleep very well when we are not getting results. That is the shared misery of the group. But I have no doubts that the results will come.”
Patrick Bamford gets Marsch advice
Leeds striker Bamford is yet to get off the mark this season, having missed from the penalty spot against Arsenal.
He has now missed eight big chances this season – and Marsch insists it is only a matter of time before the striker is firing.
“I’m challenging Patrick to continue to grow. He is a big part of the solution,” Marsch insisted. “The chances are coming for him in bunches.
His talent is so high and it’s only a matter of time before they start going his way.
“That’s the goal, we want to support him and let him know that it is close. Thursday could be the catalyst for that for him and for the rest of the season.”
Leeds will hand a first start of the season to Junior Firpo on Thursday and Marsch reckons he’s ready to prove his doubters wrong.
“I know what has been said about Junior in the past,” he said. “But all I have seen is a hard-working, honest player who can be a big two-dimensional success for Leeds [going forward and in defence].
Marsch added: “Junior will start and he will be ready. He’s been patiently waiting. I’m excited for him to get his chance to show he’s ready. Willy [Gnono] will be with us and Joffy [Joe Gelhardt] and Sam [Greenwood].”
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