Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Sunday, January 8.
Jesse Marsch told he's in 'relegation battle' by ex-Leeds United man
Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson had admitted that his old club is in a 'relegation battle' despite drawing two of their three games against tough opponents after the return of the Premier League.
The Whites dug deep to take a point away from a trip to St. James' Park and then came back from 2-1 down against fellow strugglers West Ham in midweek.
But Robinson, who spoke to Betfred earlier this week, admitted that results like that won't be enough to keep them up and that their defensive unit is the root cause of the issue.
“They’re in a relegation battle. The point away at Newcastle United was excellent because the conditions were very difficult and the atmosphere was excellent. I was at the game and defensively they were very good but offensively they didn’t offer much and they were hanging on at times.
"They put in a shift that would suggest that the manager hasn’t lost the team. The manager has got the team playing for him. I think Jesse Marsch sets them up too narrow from a starting position and they’re vulnerable. However, he’s got the team doing what he wants them to do.
"I was at the West Ham game and they lacked a bit of self-belief and creativity going forward. Leeds have had a lot of problems at Elland Road and they’ve conceded two against West Ham and before that they’ve conceded three in each of their previous three games.
"They’ve conceded far too many goals at home. The last calendar year was a record year for Leeds conceding goals since 1959, so that and their discipline through the team is going to be their problem."
Jesse Marsch could break another unwanted six-year-old Leeds United record vs Cardiff City
Leeds United have been beyond the third round just four times in 20 years, stretching back to that quarter-final in 2003 at Bramall Lane as the last notable cup run. Marcelo Bielsa was not able to turn the recent record on its head either.
Four third-round entries and four third-round exits. Queens Park Rangers, Arsenal, Crawley Town and West Ham United all put pay to any hopes of a cup run under the Argentine.
ITV has evidently chosen to take its cameras to Wales not only for the immense television audience Leeds command, but also for the chance of an upset. Cardiff City may be just two points above the Championship drop zone, but we all know this competition is a great leveller.
Ex-Leeds United defender Michael Duberry reveals insight into infamous Cardiff City FA Cup defeat
When Leeds United take on Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon in the FA Cup, it will have been just over 21 years to the day since the Whites shock third round exit to the Bluebirds back in 2002.
Jesse Marsch and co travel to the Cardiff City Stadium this weekend with Leeds looking to book their spot in the fourth round of the cup competition.
However, Leeds supporters will certainly hope their is no repeat of the 2002 clash, which saw Cardiff pull off a shock 2-1 giant killing of the Whites at Ninian Park.
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