Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United's defeat,…

Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United's defeat, finishing, Kristensen, Rutter and Gray

Javi, how unlucky do you feel tonight?

In this moment I am really disappointed after the game because in my opinion I think we were a little bit unlucky. Unlucky because we created many chances. It’s true we were not clinical, we didn’t finish with composure, but we scored a goal that was disallowed in my opinion very, very soft. We were close to changing the dynamic of the game but we didn’t score.

They scored two outstanding goals, how do you go about improving Leeds’ finishing?

First, we try to work on it in training sessions, we try to analyse why today we didn’t finish well. The confidence I think is important as well, the confidence that comes from good results, it’s a cycle. Work on it I think is the only thing we can do and try to do it better in the next time.

How much are you seeing the plan of what you want your players to do and did you see it develop tonight?

Yeah, I think in the first half we tried to press with three up front. In the second half we changed a little bit to three against three at the back and take more risks. We had a good balance, they didn’t create many chances.

They scored two great goals, of course, and they did really well, but we were close all the game to scoring one goal and to changing a little bit the dynamic of the game. That’s why I’m a little bit disappointed.

Georginio Rutter scored a goal that maybe should have been allowed. What did you think of his game?

I think when we were attacking sometimes he was alone but like the rest of the players they have a good level and the only thing is try to improve the chances they have.

That was the first time we’ve seen Rasmus Kristensen at centre-back, what led to that decision and how do you think he did?

I think Rasmus played really well. I spoke with him before the game to tell him I wanted him to play in that position. He agreed and he said he would play where the team needs him and this is a very good professional, putting the team before himself. I think he played well, he is very focused, he was concentrated on the game and in my opinion he was well.

Archie Gray is a very young player, he was on your bench but what have you made of him in training?

The quality of the young players we have is out of doubt. All of them very good players with a great attitude and every day they show a great attitude to improve. I think it’s very good news for the future of the club.

In the last few years, Leeds have had an issue covering for Patrick Bamford, he’s a good solo striker and it’s been difficult to find someone to do the job he can do. Can Rutter do that and do it effectively, as we saw tonight?

I think he’s one option. I think he can play better as a second forward or with two, in my opinion that’s the best position for Georginio. In this game we didn’t have for example other players for centre-back, we didn’t have other player for striker and we tried to manage as well as possible.

The other big change tonight was three in the middle, how do you think that went?

I think it’s an option. We have to manage and when we need it, we can do it because all of them have the quality in my opinion to do it really well and give us in some games more compactness. It’s one good option for us.

Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United's defeat, finishing, Kristensen, Rutter and Gray

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