Orta is chief cheerleader
Leeds United’s director of football has never been shy in showing his support for the team, whether that be from the directors’ box, in the tunnel or in a Watford pub. Victor Orta was front and centre once more on Monday night at Crystal Palace.
As the players came off the field at full-time and made their way for the dressing room in the corner at Selhurst Park, Orta was waiting for them. Stood at the entrance to the changing room, Orta clasped hands and hugged every member of the team as they came past him, as well as the backroom staff.
Marsch and Klich animation
As Monday’s match headed towards the interval it was clear Jesse Marsch was plotting his half-time moves. Robin Koch was given instructions in the dugout as the head coach showed him a piece of paper, but Marsch wasn’t done with those on the field.
READ MORE: Jesse Marsch lifts the lid on Leeds United dressing room mood and big problem at Crystal Palace
Mateusz Klich would ultimately be hooked, but not before getting into quite an animated chat with Marsch. During one break in play in the 40th minute, Marsch was bellowing at Klich and the Pole shrugged as if to say ‘there’s not much I can do about that.’
One more break in play before half-time would allow a more thoughtful interaction, but Marsch would later explain what was being said. The head coach said: "[I was talking to him about] some of his ideas and movement with and without the ball, just trying to position himself a little bit better and create options."
Marsch’s sidefoot test
When Marsch came out onto the pitch for the first time, just after the squad had arrived, he took on a strange sidefoot stride. Wearing his white trainers, Marsch would scuff his feet across the turf, archway first.
Marsch seemed to be flagging the quality of the skid on the surface with his players.
Cooper asks for advice
The standard Premier League paraphernalia was in place at Selhurst Park. As Liam Cooper lead his side out in the final moments before kick-off, the captain had to ask compatriot James McArthur for advice.
Cooper was forced to ask the Palace skipper which side the away team normally lines up on. From a dugout perspective, you would be forgiven for expecting the away side to stand on the left of the screen as the visitors, but, of course, with the television cameras on the opposite side, Leeds had to stand on the left as we watched on from behind the technical areas.
Cooper, naturally, had to make sure he was taking his side to the right place.
