It’s been a long time between drinks for Leeds United, but Jesse Marsch’s side are preparing themselves for a return to action this weekend. The Whites haven’t played a game of football anywhere since their defeat at Brentford on September 3, meaning a full 29 days will have passed by the time they walk out onto the Elland Road turf to face Aston Villa on Sunday.
It’s been a frustrating wait, with games being postponed against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United due to the death of the Queen and the size of the operation surrounding the state funeral. The Premier League ladder has changed shape ever so slightly during that time, too, with Leeds watching on as they slipped into the bottom half of the table.
However, United will have looked to use their break wisely, by getting some work done on the training ground and attempting to fix up the issues which saw them pick up just one point from their last three. The lay-off has also given the likes of Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper to overcome their respective issues and regain full fitness.
As such, Marsch will be confident that his Leeds outfit will be better off for their enforced break and when they take on Villa on Sunday, he’ll be keen to see them set a tone for what is undoubtedly a pivotal period ahead. Starting with the visit of Steven Gerrard’s side, the Whites have eight games scheduled before the top flight takes a break for the World Cup.
Therefore Leeds have the opportunity to truly establish themselves where they want to be; in the top half of the Premier League table and comfortably away from the action at the foot of the division. They’ll see plenty of opportunities to pick up points, too, particularly on home soil where they are currently unbeaten this campaign.
Getting that run of games off on the right foot and bookending their time away from the action with a result appears absolutely crucial, then. A win would act to draw a firm line under their 5-2 defeat last time out in west London, which saw plenty of questions asked of Marsch’s men.
It would also reinforce the head coach’s message over the last few weeks of training. Of course, Leeds saw a handful of players link up with their national teams last week, but the United boss will have used the previous two weeks to bang the drum, work on his side’s defensive shape and allow his offensive line to get some reps under their belts, particularly as Bamford works his way back into the starting line-up.
Confidence in the system isn’t likely to have faltered, but confidence in themselves may have taken a slight hit against the Bees. Marsch will have worked to restore that at Thorp Arch and three points in front of a raucous crowd at Elland Road will have Leeds riding a wave of confidence all the way to Selhurst Park next weekend.
This run of upcoming fixtures won’t decide Leeds’ Premier League fate, far from it, with 24 games to be played after their seven-week World Cup lay-off. However, it can have plenty of influence as the Whites aim to sit comfortably while they watch the action in Qatar, with a solid base to build off in the New Year.
Returning to action with a performance and, most importantly, a result, would more than set them on their way.
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