Javi Gracia faces the media on Thursday afternoon for his pre-match press conference. The Leeds United head coach will take questions from television, radio, print and online journalists at Thorp Arch ahead of the trip to Fulham on Saturday.
Here’s a look at some of the main topics on the agenda for the boss to address.
Injury doubts
The head coach has shown a reluctance to discuss team news and injuries since taking the reins at Elland Road, but that won’t deter members of the press from asking for updates this afternoon. There’s concern over the fitness of Patrick Bamford after the striker missed Monday night’s game against Liverpool with a calf injury.
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Gracia will be asked for the latest on him and Luis Sinisterra, who appeared to pick up a knock moments before he left the field on Monday night. Sinisterra was able to leave the field unassisted but he did so gingerly and he’ll no doubt be one the head coach is due to check on in the build-up to Saturday’s game at Craven Cottage.
Max Wober clearly isn’t 100 per cent or he would have surely played some part against Liverpool. Updates on the situations surrounding Tyler Adams and Stuart Dallas wouldn’t go amiss, either.
Unforced changes
The manner of Monday night’s defeat surely means changes have to be made ahead of the clash with Fulham. Leeds made it far too easy for Liverpool at Elland Road and Gracia will be considering his options across the field, but especially in the backline after an extremely poor defensive showing.
He won’t be expected to give too much away, but he will be asked to provide some kind of insight into his thinking and how he plans to set his side up against the Cottagers.
Thorp Arch morale
There’s no doubt about it, conceding 11 goals in two games will have taken its toll mentally on Gracia’s Leeds squad. Players looked broken as they apologised to supporters after the game and the head coach’s body language as he sat down in front of the press after the game told a story of exasperation.
He’s had a huge job to pick his players up again this week in preparation for the final seven games of the Premier League season. He’ll be asked about the mood around camp and the methods he has used in order fix up his side for this weekend’s challenge. It’s absolutely vital that Leeds bounce back with a performance and a result this weekend and Gracia knows it.
Fulham and importance of the next week
This Saturday’s game in west London marks the start of an eight day period that could either make or break the club’s hopes of Premier League survival. Fulham look to have little to play for at this stage and despite losing four of their last five games they look assured of a spot in midtable.
They’ve already beaten Leeds twice this season, with the latest being Gracia’s second game in charge, but the head coach will be desperate to see a reaction from his side and set the record straight. A result would be the perfect way to approach Tuesday night’s must-win game with Leicester City at Elland Road and the trip to Bournemouth the following weekend looks just as big.
The head coach won’t be looking beyond Fulham, but he will be asked for his thoughts on the importance of the upcoming run with just seven games left.
Gnonto explanations
Wilfried Gnonto has started just two of the eight league games Gracia has had at the Elland Road helm and his use of the Italy international has been questioned frequently of late. Gnonto stepped off the bench to play the final 13 minutes against Liverpool on Monday night, with Leeds already 5-1 down and while he may not have been able to prevent the Reds from finding the net seemingly at will, he could have given them something to think about at the other end.
Of course, Gnonto is still only 19, but he is one of Leeds’ most dangerous weapons when he’s on the field and Gracia may well be asked why he seems to be using him sparingly.
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