Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has had a tough time trying to get the fans back on his side in recent weeks, despite the decent performances his players are putting out on the pitch. The American has faced calls from supporters and pundits alike to be sacked, with talkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan even going as far as to say that he wouldn't have got the job in the first place if the Whites didn't have American influence in the boardroom.
But casting one's mind back to the start of the season, things were actually looking up for the 49-year-old who looked to have control, knowledge and understanding of his squad after two wins and two draws from their first five matches including an impressive 3-0 trouncing of Chelsea.
However, on September 3, 2022, fans were treated to arguably the worst Leeds performance since Marsch took over on the last day of February earlier that year. A 5-2 hammering away at Brentford saw Ivan Toney find a hattrick on top of late goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa despite the Whites being 3-1 and then 3-2 down.
To make matters even worse, a touchline tantrum from the American after his side were denied what he claimed to be a stonewall penalty saw him sent off and into the stands, capping off a torrid trip to West London.
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After the match, Marsch admitted that he's 'emotional' in the dugout in an interview with Sky Sports, but admitted that he was sure he'd stayed calm.
"Even when the penalty was given against us, I handled that pretty well and I stayed calm. At half-time I saw that and for me it wasn’t a penalty. Then a moment when I thought we could be given a clear penalty and it wasn’t even looked at, I was completely emotional and upset.
"In those moments, I don’t want our players to be pushing too hard at the referee and risking getting cards themselves. I don’t think I necessarily crossed the line but I was certainly very emotional in the moment, trying to make a point.
"I was disappointed that it wasn’t reviewed and I was disappointed that I was given a red. In the end, I have to be disciplined because I want our team to be disciplined and I’m an an example for that, and if I had to do it over again I would’ve tried to contain my emotions more for sure."
Following the Queen's passing and a two week postponement period, Marsch seemed to have enough time to collect his thoughts, regroup his players and get them back to winning ways. And following a 0-0 bore-draw against Aston Villa, it's entirely possible that the season's trajectory could've gone upwards from there.
But no, the Whites again seemed to spiral out of control, scoring just three goals in their next four league matches with all four coming as losses. The Brentford game had been a serious turning point in the season for Marsch and company and since that dominant Chelsea victory in August, they've only recorded two wins - both coming from late Crysencio Summerville winners in the span of a week.
Despite that statistic, it could be yet another twisting, turning point in this confusing season for Whites fans. It could be said they've looked liked a different side after the return from the winter break - and yes while they haven't yet won a league game this year, they've certainly put in better performances going forward than before.
Youngsters like Wilfried Gnonto are quickly becoming fan favourites and Rodrigo, this season's top goalscorer, is consistently looking deadly in front of goal.
And with additions like Georginio Rutter, and Patrick Bamford evidently returning from injury like he'd never left, this weekend's clash with the Bees isn't a complete write-off like many of the pundits, and maybe the really frustrated fans, believe.
Marsch's ethos of 'we'll score more than you' really looks to be taking shape at Leeds, and could provide an exciting fixture on Saturday. After all, Brentford's staunch defence this season will be a true test for the Whites' new attacking core to sink their teeth into.
After a 5-2 thumping of their own on Tuesday night against Cardiff in the F.A Cup, the Leeds players and Marsch will both want to avenge the rout they were subject to in September when they host Brentford at Elland Road this weekend. Only time will tell if it will be up... or even further down for Marsch from here.
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