Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United injuries,…

Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United injuries, Firpo, Elland Road, changes and next steps

Congratulations, how does that feel?

“I feel really well. Very happy because when I came, I could feel all the people in the club around the club really needed a good result. Today I think it's good for the confidence of all of us. And knowing this is only a step, but for us in this moment it is an important step.”

What was your gameplan today?

“Southampton in the last game [vs Chelsea] was really solid and well organised. Today, we knew it would be a tough game, a very close game. And we prepared as much as possible, trying to be solid, to be compact, working the game and waiting for our moment. I think we did it.”

ALSO READ: Leeds United player ratings as Junior Firpo digs hosts out of a hole with late Southampton winner

How important were the full-backs for you?

“I think we find we found a good balance to defend well, to get a clean sheet and in the other way to be offensive in the way we could. We tried to create more chances. I think nobody [Leeds or Southampton] created many chances, but it was the game we wanted and the result was good for us.”

Be honest, did you ever think it would be Junior Firpo scoring the winning goal?

"You never know what's going to happen. What I knew today, we had a chance to win. And we take it."

No Liam Cooper or Pascal Struijk, are you able to say what has happened there?

"They are injured, they have problems. I don't know how long [they] will be out but they are not training with the team."

Robin Koch had a very unique challenge with a giant striker. How do you feel he performed?

"In my opinion, both centre backs played really well today. They had a tough challenge As you say with a very tall player and all the defensive line was very concentrated and the good work of the team meant we got a clean sheet."

What did you make of the Elland Road atmosphere?

"It was really special. I knew it because I could see before coming but to live at home or to live inside is different."

Thoughts behind substituting Gnonto for Summerville?

“To be honest, I tried to look for fresh legs because in my opinion, all the players were playing well. But in in that moment, I thought the same way after I made other substitutions. Not because the players were playing the bad. I think all of them were playing well. But in that moment, I thought the team needed fresh legs."

You said earlier you were pleased that the players were patient and waiting for that moment. Can you expand on that? Was it a case of not committing too many people forward and getting carried away?

“I like offensive play. I would like to create a lot of chances. But when I came here when I saw not only the games the statistics as well. I thought the team it will be better for the team to find a good balance [between] defending and attacking and today we got a clean sheet. I think is the best way to grow."

What do you want to see the team improve from the victory?

“I'm very optimistic because if we with one day we play like today, next week we are going to play much, much better."

Wanting to turn Elland Road into a fortress?

“I think we have to be very strong, playing at home. If we want to achieve our target, we need it and I hope the supporters always will be with us because we really need them.”

How much does this win help you settle in?

“I think this win is good for the confidence of the players, for the confidence in the work we are going to do together and in the confidence of all the supporters [who] are with the team then.

"We know it’s only one win and only the three points, but something is really special for us in this week. We are going to play another competition [FA Cup] as well, we know is totally different. But at the same time is good for us as I told you for the confidence in all the things we are going to do from now, it is good for us."