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Leeds Live

Sport

Oliver Jones

Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United's reaction, desire, Meslier, injuries, leaders

Javi Wilfried Gnonto Fulham Liverpool Max Wober Palace

After the week it's been, have you seen a reaction from your players?

"What I've seen is all my players really disappointed after the last game we played. They have the desire to change, the desire to perform better and to look forward to the next game hoping to show a better face."

60 goals conceded in the Premier League, that's the worst in the division. How much of preparing for Fulham has been focusing on the defence?

"It's something I've tried to improve from my arrival. We need to find the right balance to compete well and to try to get better results. In this case, we're coming from two games where we've conceded 11 goals with is something that's really unacceptable for us and we're working on it. We're trying to improve, trying to come back the way we competed in the games before."

If you've been listening to Leeds fans in podcasts and phone-ins this week, a lot of them have spoken about there might've been a lack of desire against Liverpool on the pitch. Have you seen that desire from your players this week?

"No, but I can understand the supporters. In some parts in the last game and the game before, in the second half against Palace, there were some moments where you could have that feeling. But I have to defend my players because I know they tried but sometimes these moments are difficult to manage, to deal with that. It's not a lack of desire for sure."

Sorry to ask about one particular player but Illan Meslier is one player who has come under a lot of criticism from fans. Does he still have your backing in goal?

"If we've conceded 11 goals in the last two games, it's not because of the goalkeeper."

What have the players said to you about solving the problems?

"Who has to say the way to solve the problems? It's me, not them. I try to analyse the reasons why we've played differently in the last two games, some parts of these games than others before and try to come back as soon as possible. The way we've competed, we speak about the way we competed in the games before. Not only because of the goals we concede or less goals - but only the results. I think if we did it, we have to do it as soon as possible."

What problems have you identified then Javi, and what are the solutions?

"The problems I talk to them about, it's not the right place to talk about them here. I can say only we are working on it, it's evident we don't have the right balance we've had in previous matches and I wish that we showed that we can do it and I think we can do it again."

You've showed your players that you believe the desire is there, to put this right. Fulham are probably safe now, is this the time to be more aggressive in your approach?

"We need to be more aggressive but the solution, it's not only to attack, you need the balance. We need to attack better, defend better, we need to compete the way we did before. The next game is the most important because we have spoken many times before, because it's the next one. We need the points, we are coming from two important defeats. we have to change the dynamic because there are just seven games left. We competed six games before the last two I think in a good way and we have to come back to compete the same way."

Wilfried Gnonto is a player that can cause problems as you know. What has he been doing for him not to start lately?

"I think there are many things we're not doing well at the moment because you only have to see the games and result to know it. But for me, it's important the way they work everyday, the way I know they compete in the games from my arrival and I believe in my players, I believe in my squad, and knowing we have some players that have they have some little issues, they're not in the best condition, but all of them want to help the team.

"Playing some minutes, training two or three days per week because they can't train anymore, but at the end, in the conditions they are, all of them want to help the team and that's the main reason to be optimistic."

What is the condition of Patrick Bamford?

"We'll have to wait until the end. He's training but in this moment, I don't know if he'll be ready."

What was the problem?

"Calf problem."

Most Leeds fans believe the team defends better with Max Wober playing. How close is he to making a return to the starting lineup?

"What I can say about Max is what everybody knows. When he was available, he played as a centre-back playing with Robin [Koch] in the middle and he had very good performances. He was injured over the last two weeks. For the last game, he was available for the last game but he'd only trained one or two days. Now, he's in a better condition to help the team and we'll decide about the players for the next game."

You've mentioned 'rest defence' after Nottingham Forest. How important is that and what part in your preparations does it play?

"I think it's something vital in some games when you are attacking, when you have more possession. In all the games, it's important to be well-organised but in some games, even more in the last games against Forest, Liverpool, if you don't pay attention in that moment they hit you on the counter. Some goals come from these situations, we tried to avoid them but it was impossible to do it because we're playing against very good players in very good teams and we have to know.

"From my arrival, we've lost to Chelsea, Arsenal away, against Palace and Liverpool at home. Ok, I know we all want better results but in the other games, we've competed well with some important wins and I think it's the way we want to compete, the dynamic we want to recover. Try to be demanding, try to prepare well for all the games and if you're a bit lucky as well to change the dynamic of the last results and if you compete well, you will be closer to getting better results."

What makes it difficult to have 'rest defence'? Is it players chasing the game, is it quality of opposition? What are the difficulties?

"It's hard, it's difficult for all of us but not only for us, for the rest of the teams as well. Of course, we want to focus on ourselves and we work in the ay to have good reactions after losing, to get better situated to defend well on the counters. But after that, the quality of some players that we could see in the last game decide many of those situations. We are working on that, from my arrival it was one of the important things I tried to improve."

Just to follow up on a previous question about Wilfried, are you saying he's not been starting because he's carrying an issue and he can't train too much and therefore you can't risk him?

"No, if I said something about Gnonto, maybe I made a mistake because I didn't understand. Gnonto is ready. He had a little issue, he had some problem, now he's ready. He's training from the last few weeks and in the beginning when he came back, it's true that I tried to protect him a little bit but now he's ready and available."

I've read in the past that you don't like to shout, you don't like to raise your voice with players, you don't like to get angry. When you've conceded 11 goals in two games, how do you try and get a reaction from a player? Does it require some emotion, some volume or do you prefer to stick with the analysis to get a reaction that way?

"I think we all have different reactions in different moments, I'm don't keep the same attitude all the time you know. What is important is to convince the players - to help them understand why the things are happening. To try to find the solution, find and solve the problems and it's something we have to do together. All of us have different responsibilities and I have to accept my responsibility and I have to work on all of these problems we have.

"But at the same time, we have to assess the situation with perspective, you know. We've competed well, we've had good results but it's true that we have to accept the critics now. There were some unacceptable moments in the last games and I understand that, I understand the view of supporters, when they say they feel the lack of desire, I understand that feeling, 100 percent. But I spend time with the players and I know how they are suffering in this moment and how they're working to improve the situation and that they are able to change and they are able to change because they've done it staying with me and I believe in these players, and I'm sure all together we can compete the way we have done."

Is it clear yet whether Tyler Adams will play again this season?

"No, no. If I tell you something, I'd be lying to you. I don't know, he's working hard, the medical staff is working very well as well but we'll need time to know if he's ready or not. I don't know."

Is he a player this team is missing, the defensive work he does in midfield and the presence that he has there?

"He's a player who plays in a position where we don't have many other options. Now, we have, in the first team squad, Adam Forshaw who is ready but he was injured long-term. But it's an absence in an important position. We have some young players in there that can play there as well, that are some very good players, but it's an absence that's important for the team. All of you know, we don't have the solution for that. We have to work with the players we have, and believe as I do that they are very good players and they are the best players to play in this final end of the season."

Do you think your team has enough leaders?

"In my opinion, there are different leaders, there are different ways to be a leader. Some of them speaking more, some of them doing and learning from examples every day. Maybe we don't have players that show that character outside, maybe. But inside, I can tell you we have a good atmosphere, all of them respect each other, help each other, and I'm happy with the atmosphere we have."

I asked the question because at halftime against Crystal Palace, there was a collapse. And up until Liverpool's first goal, Leeds were very competitive but then the collapse.

"No I know, I understand perfectly clear why you ask me. I understand that. In this moment, I think it's not to speak, it's time to do. And we have to show what we're able to do. If you tell me all these things, I'll agree with you. But we only can do and this way, we'll come back the way we played before."