He started with a 1-0 defeat away to Leicester but Leeds United’s new manager, Jesse Marsch, is a man with a clear vision of where he wants the club to go.
The former Red Bull Salzburg and Leipzig head coach was drafted in to Elland Road as soon as the club parted company with former boss Marcelo Bielsa, and his job is simple: to keep Leeds United in the top flight. The very latest Premier League 2022 betting odds reckon the Whites will stay up but only just. After a wonderful return to the Premier League last season Leeds have suffered the dreaded second season syndrome and are currently 16th in the league table, two points above the drop zone and having played a game more than 18th placed Burnley. The position is precarious to say the least; but Marsch has 11 games to save the club’s top flight status, starting with a home game against Norwich City.
Here’s our four point plan for the new boss.
Organise the defence
The club’s Premier League 2022 results simply haven’t been good enough and the most alarming statistic is the goals against column which, at 61, is the highest in the division. That translates into a goal difference of -32, which when compared with the two teams below them (Everton -13 and Burnley -14) represents another half a point. Finish level on points with those two clubs and Leeds will be in trouble.
Former boss Marcelo Bielsa will live long in the memory of Leeds United fans after the Argentine legend took them to the promised land of the Premier League and, in his first season in the top flight, kept them there quite comfortably. But things have been different this time around as his team has scored fewer goals and received regular hammerings, most recently conceding 17 goals in the four defeats prior to Saturday’s loss to the Foxes.
On Saturday the Whites were much more compact with Pascal Struijk and Luke Ayling at the heart of defence, and the news that skipper Liam Cooper is nearing fitness is a major boost. Leeds pressed high against Leicester and they were caught on the break, and that is something that Marsch will need to drill into his players. The gung-ho days might not be entirely over, but Leeds need to get back to scoring without struggling to carry out the gritty work at the back.
Develop a new goal scorer
In his time as boss of Salzburg and Leipzig Marsch has been known more for his attacking approach than his defensive prowess and he had some great strikers to work with, including Erling Braut Haaland. And recently he has developed France midfielder Christopher Nkunku into a dangerous and free scoring Number Ten for Red Bull Leipzig. Without the goals of long term injury Patrick Bamford Leeds have only scored 29 goals in 27 games, and if your defence has a habit of leaking that is simply not enough. Brazilian wing wizard Raphinha gets his fair share of goals but he is as much a provider as a scorer and Rodrigo has been inconsistent as a Number Nine. Marsch could do worse than focus on pacey wide man Dan James. The young Welshman has an eye for goal and he could be the answer.
Keep Kalvin Phillips fit
Leeds most consistent player of the past few seasons, Kalvin Phillips, has been injured at key parts of this campaign and has been laid off recently with a hamstring injury. Marsch cannot afford to bring him back too quickly and risk an aggravation or a new injury but he needs him for the run-in, so an appearance for Phillips before the end of March looks hopeful.
The 26 year old defensive midfield man impressed for England at Euro 2020 and has made over 200 appearances for the club he loves, scoring 13 goals. His pivotal role in front of the defence makes Leeds harder to score against, while freeing up the attacking players to use their flair.
Beat Norwich
Next week Leeds are back at Elland Road to welcome basement club Norwich City. At SBOTOP odds of 1.60 to beat the Canaries this is pretty much a must-win game, not only for the three points on offer, but a defeat would dump Norwich further into the relegation mire while a victory for Leeds on Marsch’s first home game would be simply huge. One result alone will not confirm the Whites’ 2022 destiny but, make no mistake; anything other than a home win will set the alarm bells ringing in West Yorkshire.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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