Jesse Marsch knows he must strike the right balance at Leeds United’s Thorp Arch training ground over the next few days. The Whites are reeling after losing 1-0 to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon at Elland Road, a result that ensures the club now sit just a point above the Premier League’s bottom three.
However, there was plenty to like about the performance against the Gunners and it could be said that Leeds were dominant for large chunks of the contest. Ultimately, it never fell United’s way, with a first half effort from Bukayo Saka being the difference on a wild afternoon that included a power cut, play being suspended, a missed penalty and an overturned red card.
As such, it’s hard for Marsch to feel disappointed with his side’s showing, but he knows strides must be made this week both on the training field and on the pitch with games against Leicester City and Fulham to come.
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“It has to be balanced,” the head coach said when asked about how he approaches this week. “I think we will take this away and be very encouraged.
“Such a crazy game today with so many things happening in that match and so obviously when I sit here now I'm filled with emotion in every direction. I'll take some time, I'll look at the video, we'll regroup, we'll find out physically who's ready to go again, we're physically looking strong and healthy and fit.
“We've got to use the next matches to find ways to get more points out of it because that's important for us right now in our season.”
Despite the performance against the league leaders, Leeds will make the trip to Leicester City with pressure starting to build on their shoulders. The Whites haven’t won since beating Chelsea back in August, with just two points coming from their last six games.
There has been reason for positivity in that time, but it hasn’t clicked enough for Leeds to climb the table and while Marsch may be growing desperate to see a result, he knows he must keep his cool as Leeds enter a week that could have huge implications on their season.
“I think the first half of Crystal Palace was also outstanding,” the head coach added. “We should be up 3-0 in that match. We should win this game.
“So again, for me, it's easy and I tell you in Brentford we had some good moments, Brighton, for me, the first half was terrible, but then second half was actually really good and we were unlucky not to get back in the game in. Everton, Villa, against Villa we get the red card but still we manage okay, maybe we could win at the end but we're not capitalising and it puts stress on the environment.
“I have to stay calm and patient which I hate. I hate being patient, detest is maybe as a better word, but I have to. I have to because I see that I see the good work that's getting done and I see the progress being made.
“But at some point here, it's got to start to add up to more results so that we can really develop momentum but the league is difficult. The league is difficult and it challenges you in every way.”
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