Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Tuesday, April 12.
Leeds backed to have title race say
Leeds United have been backed to have a say in the Premier League title race by both Micah Richards and Chris Sutton. The Whites are set to host Manchester City at the end of this month in one of their final seven games of the season.
City currently sit just one point above Liverpool at the top of the league and know that any sort of slip up could be punished by the Reds. Speaking on BBC 5Live’s Monday Night Club, Sutton and Richards both see their trip to Leeds as one of the trickiest games in their run in.
He said: “Leeds away, I mean Leeds away,” said Sutton. “Can we judge Leeds?” Richards interrupted: “What’s wrong with Leeds?” to which Sutton added: “No, I think it’s a tricky fixture. I really think it’s a tricky fixture.”
READ MORE: Kasper Schmeichel glad Leeds United are back in the Premier League after his 'difficult' spell
Richards then continued: “I thought you were disrespecting Leeds. Leeds away is tough. It’s tough!” Sutton then made it clear: “I wasn’t disrespecting Leeds.”
Cooper’s teary speech
Tears welled in Liam Cooper’s eyes as he addressed his Leeds United team-mates after their pivotal 3-0 win at Watford on Saturday, according to head coach Jesse Marsch. The captain was among the very best performers on the pitch for the second consecutive match since his return from injury.
In a match riddled with mistakes, misplaced passes, sloppy shots and half-hearted tackles, Cooper was a cut above the rest in his management of the match as the last line of defence. Asked about his skipper’s performance, Marsch reflected upon the post-match scene behind closed doors, where he asked Cooper to address the side.
He said: “He won his duels, he won his aerial duels, he was positionally in the right spot, he was aggressive against the ball, he was sharp, he didn't lose any balls. I had him speak to the team afterwards because I told them I haven't had a better captain in the entire time I've been a coach.
“He was great. He almost came to tears because he loves playing with the guys so much. I really like this group, I really like being here. It's fun working with these guys, they give everything they have, so it fits with who I am and it fits with what we're trying to establish together.”
U23s’ ratings
Leeds United's U23s were knocked out of the last-16 of the Premier League Cup with a 5-1 defeat to West Ham United at Rush Green. The Young Whites had taken the lead in the first half through Mateo Joseph’s first goal for the 23s.
However, a side without the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville and Charlie Cresswell were well beaten in the end as the Hammers fired in five unanswered goals. Click here to have a read of our man Beren Cross’ ratings from the disappointing defeat.
