Here are your latest Leeds United evening headlines for Wednesday, April 19.
Leeds United told they were better off with Jesse Marsch in charge
Don Hutchison believes Leeds United were better off with Jesse Marsch at the helm because they had more of an "identity" under the American.
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Leeds collected three wins from their first six under Javi Gracia, but have leaked 11 goals in their last two games following heavy defeats against Crystal Palace and Liverpool respectively.
Those defeats have cast doubt over their survival prospects, although Gracia's men still sit two points clear of danger as it stands.
Nevertheless, former Scotland international Hutchinson has suggested that sacking Marsch was perhaps not the wisest of moves.
“Probably [Leeds were better off with Marsch],” Hutchison told ESPN FC. “That’s saying something. I could see more identity even though they were a bit bonkers. Scoring goals but it was the flip of a coin which way it would go.”
Leeds United may need cages rattling and Javi Gracia breaking with his tradition
Eleven goals shipped across two matches with a small combination of 13 players starting in both has to mean changes this weekend. Javi Gracia has to rattle some cages, point fingers, let some players know they are nowhere near it and show the supporters he hears their anger.
Gracia has been on the record in the past with his preference for keeping his volume down and speaking with clarity and calmness. Some players, given what's gone on in the last two, may get more from a dressing down, some passion, anger or emotion.
There is no sense in playing to the crowd and bowing to public opinion for the sake of it, which, as his reluctant press against Brighton & Hove Albion showed, is not Gracia’s style anyway. However, there has been more than enough evidence over the past three halves played to see a good number of those who featured look shot to pieces.
Damning Leeds United statistics as mid-table assurances fall flat in relegation battle
“The target I set is between 10th to 14th position. If we’re lucky, we are close to 10th or more. If we aren’t lucky, we are 15th. But I think we are in that range. I don’t want to have any more heart-attack risk. I don’t have any doubt that we’ll avoid a situation similar to last season. It’s impossible.”
Those were the words of Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani in an interview with The Athletic as he outlined his hopes for the current campaign back in August. After surviving by the narrowest of margins last season - a win at Brentford on the final day combined with Burnley losing at home to Newcastle - Whites' supporters had hoped for a better campaign.
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