Leeds United’s recent problems in front of goal were summed up perfectly on Tuesday night at Fulham. The 2-0 scoreline in favour of the home team suggests Leeds were well beaten at Craven Cottage as Marco Silva’s side marched into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
In truth, though, they were the better side for large periods of the game and the stats more than back that notion up. Leeds registered 16 shots in west London, opening up Fulham, who sat sixth in the Premier League table at the time the game was played, time after time.
Unfortunately, though, they just couldn’t find the back of the net, despite working Marek Rodak six times. Conversely, Fulham managed just seven shots in total, but both Joao Palhinha and Manor Solomon scored long-range efforts to set up their trip to Old Trafford in the next round.
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It’s a not a new problem for Leeds, in fact, since their return from the World Cup break they’ve struggled to convert chances into goals. The Whites have scored seven goals in their 10 league games since Christmas and given they bagged 22 in their opening 14 matches before then, it’s a huge drop off in attacking form.
Gracia, though, believes he has what it takes to turn Leeds’ recent fortunes in front of goal around and that starts on the Thorp Arch training ground.
“Yeah, it’s my work,” Gracia said when asked if finishing was something he could coach. “I don’t know if I’m going to get it but I have to think I can do it and have to help the players improve.
“We have to first during the game create chances to score the goals we need and individually we try in training more time to give them the confidence they need and the security they need. It’s true in the game you have to do it, I’m not there to finish with them or tell them to do this or that, but I have to help them during the sessions with confidence, with my support, mentally help them this way.”
Gracia is no stranger to the idea of getting the best out of people quickly. This is the 52-year-old’s 14th job in management and while he usually joins clubs in the off-season, he has also taken reins mid-campaign, too.
He did that at Watford back in January 2018 and instantly managed to turn their form around by getting a tune out of the squad before leading them to a mid-table finish. Every group is different, though, and while he did make small changes to good effect last week against Southampton, he knows development is a process.
“It depends because sometimes in a few days you are able to see the team playing in a way you like,” Gracia said. “But of course with time you can work on more things, we can prepare with set pieces, the way we want to play, defend and attack and give them players more options.
“Now we are preparing day to day for the next game. I think we are well prepared but if you have time and living experience, I think will be better.
“They are good students. They learn very fast and not only are they good players, I think they have the right attitude. They have high commitment, I think, with the club, not only with me but with the club.”
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