Leeds boss Javi Gracia has called on the spirit of club anthem Marching On Together to help his side in their bid to retain their Premier League status.
Gracia’s side resume their relegation fight against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on Tuesday night and the Spaniard feels the famous song can inspire his players during the run-in.
Leeds sit above the bottom three on goal difference after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, but Gracia said his squad is united in achieving its goal.
He said: “All of them have the clear, collective objective: to remain in the Premier League. I hear Marching On Together since my arrival here and that’s something I can feel.
“I love it. I love it when I listen to it in Elland Road. When I listen in Elland Road, it’s something different. It helps our players to play better, I’m sure.
“In the next games, they will be with us. In these important games, I don’t have doubt about the atmosphere at Elland Road.
“They will always be with us and now we have to be focused on doing things well.”
Leeds have collected seven points from five league games since Gracia replaced Jesse Marsch in February and face three more relegation rivals in April.
They play Crystal Palace at home on Sunday and also face Leicester and Bournemouth before the end of a month which could define their season.
Leeds will still be without key midfielder Tyler Adams after hamstring surgery, while Willy Gnonto (ankle) and Max Wober (hamstring) also missed the defeat at Arsenal.
Adams’ USA midfield partner Weston McKennie was restricted to a substitutes’ role on Saturday due to illness and Gracia, as usual, gave little away with regards to team selection for Tuesday’s encounter with Forest.
“About injured players, I prefer not to say anything,” Gracia said. “You know our situation isn’t good, all the medical staff and injured players are working really hard to recover.
“But in two or three days, things do not change a lot. We have to prepare for the game with the players we have.”
Forest sit two places and a point above Leeds in the table after their winless league run was extended to seven games at the weekend when they were held 1-1 at home by Wolves.
Steve Cooper’s side last won in the league against Leeds in February in former Whites boss Marsch’s last match in charge before he was sacked.
Gracia added: “It’s the most important part of the season, 10 games left. We know every game is massive for us and for them.
“We are playing at home and we know how important that is to play with the support of our fans. We know it’s our chance to take a big amount of points.”
