
Leeds United
Championship
Keown blasts Marsch for ‘codswallop’ excuses as pressure begins to mount on Leeds boss

Martin Keown told BBC’s Match of the Day that Jesse Marsch is ‘clinging’ on to his job at Leeds United, as well as accusing the American of spreading ‘propaganda.’
The Whites were somewhat unlucky to not to pick up a win against Brentford on Sunday, but with just one victory in their last seven league games, pressure is definitely mounting on Marsch.
Leeds are currently just one point above the drop zone, so it looks like they could be in for another relegation scrap this season.
However, it was a fairly positive performance against Brentford, who have recently been in excellent form. Leeds also recently picked up a 5-2 win against Cardiff, so it’s not been all bad news for Marsch.
In his post-match interviews, the Whites boss’ has remained positive despite failing to pick up three points for a long time. But, football is a results business and Keown claims he is clinging on.
Speaking on Match of the Day, he said: “I don’t see any game management, I don’t see any control, I think the manager has got good characteristics.
“But when you don’t win a game, it’s like codswallop, baloney, it’s propaganda. It’s like he’s clinging on, they need to get results.”
Leeds board keen to stick with Marsch despite results
According to the Daily Mail, the Leeds board have been encouraged by the recent improved performances, so they are keen to give Marsch time to turn their run of results around.
The Yorkshire side will face Accrington Stanley or Boreham Wood in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, before playing Nottingham Forest away, Manchester United in back-to-back matches (which makes for an interesting week), before a relegation six-pointer against Everton.
Indeed, it could be those matches which ultimately decide Marsh’s future at Elland Road, and potentially define Leeds’ season.
The Whites’ have made some positive signings in the current window, with striker Georginio Rutter arriving on a club-record £35.3m deal earlier this month, who could be a key player for the remainder of the campaign.
Also, £17.7m signing Maximilian Wober made second appearance against Brentford, with the centre-back putting in a solid defensive performance, helping his team keep a valuable clean sheet.
They are still on the hunt for added reinforcements, too, with director of football Victor Orta eyeing a move for highly-rated Portuguese youngster Diogo Montero.
The Whites have invested heavily in youth in the past, with the likes of Sam Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville, Joe Gelhardt and Wilfried Gnonto all proving to be good additions.
Clearly, the Leeds board are backing Marsch in the transfer window, so it would be surprising to see him sacked before the new faces have time to make an impact.
In all likelihood, Marsch will get another four or so league matches to turn his team’s form around. If not, however, Keown may yet be right about him getting the sack.