Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Wednesday, March 23.
Orta confirms desire to continue with slimmed-down squad
One of the many criticisms of the Leeds United squad from supporters this season has been the lack of depth caused by a suspected lack of investment from Andrea Radrizzani and co. Many fans feel it was ultimately Marcelo Bielsa’s undoing as he didn’t have the required strength of squad to adequately battle relegation.
The relentless injury problems within the squad have exacerbated the belief that further depth is needed but Victor Orta remains keen for the club to prioritise youth development over senior arrivals to bolster the squad. Speaking at the Training Ground Guru’s scouting and recruitment webinar, he said: “I believe in a project that is one of Marcelo Bielsa’s legacies. If you believe in youth development you need to prove it.
“Our idea is 18 professionals and the other four players all with the under-23s because we believe in youth development and want to give responsibility to the academy. It’s true that it’s risky.
Read more: Gareth Southgate's instructions to Kalvin Phillips key to next Leeds United move.
“It’s true that if you have these four players with more experience perhaps the results in the short-term will be better. But it’s true on the other side that you create a lot of bad ways.
“The other day we win a difficult game against Wolves with Charlie Cresswell, Sam Greenwood and Kirstoffer Klaesson on the pitch and on another day Joe Gelhardt scores to make it 2-1 against Norwich and Lewis Bate is in the team that beats West Ham.
“I create these answers because it’s worth millions long-term for the club. To build players is really important.”
Jesse Marsch details Leeds intentions
On the back of consecutive victories for Leeds, Jesse Marsch is really starting to make his mark on thr squad at Elland Road. A couple of defeats in his first two games as boss raised doubts over his ability to manage in the Premier League but he is quickly proving his doubters wrong.
One of the worries amongst the fanbase when Marcelo Bielsa left was that the collective spirit in the dressing room would be lost but the American has ensured that the togetherness has remained, something he claimed is really important for him as a coach. "I don't feel a lot of pressure. I focus so much on the group, the team and helping them to be the best that they can be, helping them every day,” he told SiriusXM.
"Creating a pathway for them as people and as players to understand how to get better, how to commit more and more to each-other. This is what I do, my expertise is working with highly talented young men and helping them understand in a team environment how to achieve individually and as a group.”
Read more of what the Leeds boss had to say here.
Meslier stat highlights need for improvement
For the majority of this season, the job of Leeds goalkeeper has been an extremely tough one with an often wide-open defence leaking plenty of chances. Despite conceding more goals than any other Premier League goalkeeper, Illan Meslier has certainly not disgraced himself and he has made a number of crucial saves.
Although, the statistics – which aren’t always as important as they are portrayed to be – suggest that the Frenchman is vastly underperforming the level he should be playing at. According to FBref, Meslier has conceded 8.8 goals more than he should have done based on the quality and location of shots that he has faced this season, the worst underperformance in the top flight.
His best years are still very much ahead of him and he will be hoping to play at the top level for the next decade and a half at least. He has shown on a number of occasions for Leeds just how good he will be and, as long as the Whites confirm their Premier League status, there won’t be too many worries amongst fans about his position as number one.
Read more here.
