A round-up of your Leeds United evening headlines on Thursday, 18 March.
Robin Koch outlines how Leeds United are dealing with the stress of a relegation scrap
Robin Koch has stated that the stress Leeds United's players will be feeling in their battle for Premier League survival is 'quite normal'. Leeds ' 2-1 victory over Norwich City was one fraught with nerves as Leeds took an early lead through a deflected Rodrigo strike but the Whites missed a host of chances to kill the game off with a second goal.
Raphinha twice hit the bar, first with a close-range volley in the first-half and latterly with a free-kick in the 83rd minute. The Brazilian also miskicked when the goal was gaping, whilst Pascal Struijk missed a double chance from a corner and Patrick Bamford side-footed wide when through one-one-one.
With each missed chance, anxiety grew that Leeds would be made to pay for their profligacy and that's exactly what happened. Norwich grew in their confidence of gaining something from the game whilst Leeds shrank backwards. After being denied a penalty against Luke Ayling due to a VAR intervention, Norwich scored through Kenny McLean in the 91st minute and Elland Road despaired.
Jesse Marsch issues Leeds United injury boost as Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper return expected
Leeds United will be looking to build on last Sunday's win over Norwich City with a positive result away to Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend. The Whites face Bruno Lage's Wolves side at Molineux on Friday evening, a fixture which has been previewed by Jesse Marsch this morning.
Wolves drew one apiece with Leeds on their visit to Elland Road earlier this season; Rodrigo's last-minute penalty, won by the jinking run of second half substitute Joe Gelhardt, salvaged a point for the hosts. The Midlands club are renowned for their miserly defending and boast one of the Premier League's most in-form goalkeepers with Jose Sa between the posts, meaning Leeds' task is far from a straightforward one.
Speaking ahead of Friday night's contest, Jesse Marsch has provided an injury update of sorts on Leeds United's currently unavailable players. He also indicated Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper would be available for selection this weekend after both took part in training this week.
Every word Jesse Marsch said on Archie Gray, injuries, seven Leeds United leaders and Wolves
Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch sat down with journalists on Thursday morning to provide an update on the players who would be available this weekend. The Whites travel to the West Midlands tomorrow evening where they will face Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bruno Lage's men are battling for European competition and have developed a reputation as a well-drilled outfit in the Premier League this season.
"I'll start with an injury update," Marsch began his pre-match press conference with. "Junior [Firpo] has an MCL, they think it's not so bad, it's a little bit lighter Grade 2, so from the date of injury maybe three-to-five weeks.
"Tyler had a successful surgery we already talked about. Liam and Kalvin are fully in training and are eligible for this weekend. So we'll make a decision today exactly what we do with that and what the plan will be."
Frank Lampard responds to Jamie Carragher criticism as Everton prepare for key relegation clash
One of Leeds United's main rivals in the battle for Premier League survival is Everton. The Toffees managed to defeat the Whites 3-0 in February but they currently sit four points behind Leeds in the table, although they have played three games fewer.
Importantly, they have lost every league fixture since defeating Leeds, whilst Joe Gelhardt gave Jesse Marsch's side three points against Norwich on Sunday and cranked up the pressure on Everton to beat Newcastle United at Goodison Park on Thursday night. After Everton's latest loss to Wolves, Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher labelled their players a disgrace on Monday Night Football.
Their manager, Frank Lampard responded to that claim in his pre-match press conference: "It’s the players’ job to answer that on a pitch. The Wolves game wasn’t a disgrace.
Leeds United's Cody Drameh opens up on his 'straightforward' decision to join Cardiff City
Cody Drameh has quickly become a fan favourite at Cardiff City after his loan move to the Championship in January. The full-back was determined to move, despite the wishes of Marcelo Bielsa, who felt the 20-year-old would have been best served by remaining at Leeds but Drameh has gone on to start 14 games for Cardiff, completing 90 minutes in every single one apart from his debut.
This is valuable first-team experience for the youngster and he has spoken about his decision to go on loan, claiming it was a 'straightforward' decision. "He [Bielsa] said he wanted me to stay, but I wanted to go because I needed more game time than they were offering. For me it was a straightforward situation because I believe in myself and my ability," Drameh told View from the Ninian.
Before leaving from Cardiff, Drameh had made featured in three Premier League games for the Whites, starting one and coming off the bench in the other two, as well as playing 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal.
