Michael Skubala has emphasized the importance of Leeds United’s leadership group and senior players during this period. The caretaker head coach will take charge of his third Leeds game this weekend when the Whites travel to Everton for a bottom of the table six-pointer.
Of course, United haven’t won in the Premier League since Bonfire Night, but they will be confident of picking up the points at Goodison Park on Saturday following their recent uptick in performance levels under Skubala. Leeds pushed Manchester United all the way on two occasions last week and it seems the club’s most established players have responded to Skubala’s message.
The Under-21s chief already knew some of the younger members of the squad well, obviously, but he’s managed to bring the best out of Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford since taking over. The likes of Jack Harrison and even Junior Firpo, have produced strong performances, too, rising to the challenge Skubala has dished out.
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The former England futsal chief doesn’t have a wealth of first-team experience to fall back on, given he has spent most of his career working at an academy level, but he has recognised the significance of what the senior players can offer.
“They’re part of the process, for me,” Skubala said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Merseyside. “The senior players are really experienced players, they’ve played in the Premier League a lot and I just want them involved in the process in whatever we do.
“They need to be comfortable in how we want to do things and how we play. The leadership group and the players that are around are all part of the process and it's really important to me to use experience with those players and they've been brilliant in that way.”
The Whites know a defeat in Merseyside on Saturday will see them plunge into the relegation zone with just 15 games remaining. However, Skubala insists his side aren’t being bogged down by the pressures of the occasion, focusing instead on the opportunity to take strides forward.
“We're excited,” he added. “We're excited to go and try and get three points, genuinely excited to try and get three points.
“I spoke to the players and the staff and all the staff have been brilliant. We just see it as a chance to go get three points again and if we can go and do that that's the most important thing, picking up points.”
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