The Leeds United dressing room are continuing to back Jesse Marsh, despite another damaging defeat for the under-fire American.
Marsch came into Sunday’s meeting with Fulham in desperate need of a result, having failed to win a Premier League game since the end of August. But despite going into the lead at Elland Road, goals from Aleksander Mitrovic, Bobby Dercova-Reid and Willian condemned them to a 3-2 reversal.
It leaves the Whites marooned in the relegation zone and Marsch facing increasing calls to be sacked. Hired as Marcelo Bielsa’s replacement in February, the former RB Leipzig boss guided Leeds to safety in dramatic circumstances on the final day of last season.
However, they have failed to kick on in his first full campaign and have just nine points from their first 11 matches. The 48-year-old is now the favourite to be the next Premier League boss sacked and faced heavy criticism from home supporters after the full-time whistle.
It remains to be seen whether the Leeds hierarchy will stick with Marsch, but his players have gone to bat for him following defeat to the Cottagers. Defender Luke Ayling said: "The boys are right behind him. He took over in a tricky situation last season and kept us in the league.”
He added: "It's a hard one to take. We did well in the first 30 minutes but we were sloppy from set-pieces, with all three goals coming from them. That just can't happen. We work hard on stopping goals like that, but today it wasn't good enough.
"We're starting games well but we're not taking our chances. But we can't sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. We have to pick ourselves up and go again."
Club captain Liam Cooper also backed Marsch and told BBC Sport that he retains the full support of the playing staff and that he “100 per cent” thinks he should remain in charge.
Marsch admitted he understood the fans’ frustrations after the final whistle, but insisted the club are still on a united front. "It's disappointment, frustration. In the first half we started strong and got the lead. It felt like we'd take control of our moment and our season.
"But we conceded from a situation where it was not that complicated and we go in 1-1 [at half-time]. Then we were trying to find a way to control our fate but missed a chance or two and you could see the confidence is low, that we don't believe in ourselves as much as we'd like.
"We are unified here, from the board to the staff and the players. We are hurting, it's painful,. We feel we're doing little things that aren't getting a reward.
"I understand the fans, their ire should be directed at me. I've got to find ways for us to get wins and points. But I'm focused on helping this team to get better and improve."
Marco Silva knows all too well about the cut-throat nature of Premier League management, but is enjoying a fine season with newly-promoted Fulham, who now find themselves just three points off the top four. Asked if he had sympathy for his counterpart in the opposition dugout he said: "Of course. Football is really tough and sometimes a defeat or a win makes a huge difference.
“All of us live under pressure. You know that in football if you have time to work with your players, if you have the quality the things will come in the right way. Marsch has shown last season the quality he has."
