Leeds United Chat • Jesse Marsch Pre Palace
Fractured patella. Struggled to recover and felt worse as the day went on.
[Still be around?]
Yeah, he's a leader and we need him.
[How big loss?]
Important since I have been here. Phillips back to 100 per cent. Will start on Monday. Never good to lose important player. Adam been incredible leader and player since I walked in.
Your impact exceeded expectations?
I said to the group they are ahead of schedule for me. We have changed the way we train. The tactics. The way we interact here. My leadership style. Can only say have never had a group adapted more than this one. Draw on that. Big compliment to the group we have here. Personally excited for the game on Monday. Guys are ready.
Frustrating break after Watford for momentum?
Ebbs and flows. Nice to keep playing in the moment, but nice for a break to get guys more healthy. We're ready. We know a lot of work to be done yet. Been preparing ourselves entirely for the next challenges.
Monday importance?
Incredible challenges coming up. Good opponents, but done a good job of staying in the moment and going step by step. Palace a lot of respect. Cup semi-final. A lot of quality players, dangerous one vs one and in transition. Really good coach. Palace tough place to play.
Point behind if you win - drag them in?
Can see twists and turns every night. Only thing for us to focus on us and a performance that gives us the three points.
How many fighting?
It depends on every result. Don't care about anyone else. Helpful when they don't get points, but have to expect the table will be tighter by the time we play Palace. Shown that.
Vieira - clashes over the years?
When he first made the decision to come to MLS we were all excited to have his stature in the league. I had to hate him in NYC. Not an easy guy to hate. From expertise and work perspective he's very good coach. Had differing styles and ways of thinking about the game. Made for interesting matches. Heated moments, but over time we great to respect each other. One friend in common was Houllier and hew as there to bring us together in these derby matches. Followed him at Nice and thought he did a good job there. Great to see him in the PL. Where he belongs. Clear with how he wants to play. Very good with his players. All players have massive respect for him. Good manager. Big challenge on the day. Know each other pretty well. Little bit clash of styles, but opportunity for me and our team to test ourselves.
Burnley - Dyche?
Sean had a big history at the club. For me, you never like to see managers lose their jobs. Everyone puts a lot into these jobs. This is the business we live in. Everyone has to do their best. Thankfully we have an incredible group here. Common cause. My job to lead them.
Two-week opportunity - things you have focused on?
A lot of tactucal nuances. Come a long way in seven or eight weeks. Now it's about pushing them to be more concentrated and clear with everything on the pitch. Inspiration this is a fantastic group. Never any questions about where their hearts are. Defensive performance at Watford very good. Could have done better with our build-up in the final third. Trying to be creative and have poise in the final third t create more chances and goals.
Phillips back - how instrumental?
I have seen from the beginning he has an effect on the group. His identity and being Leeds. Push him to be better and better and be the best. We have talked a lot about the intensity he can play with against the ball and the ease and clarity with the ball. Great in training. Really good training week. Fully fit and fully ready.
Manage the Phillips narrative?
Only thing I talk about with external stuff is messages from outside that affect us. Working intimately with players to help them grow and develop and their roles. When we have work ethic and work style we can achieve a lot. I don't talk much with agents or players with their careers, just maximising their potential here.
Phillips's mind?
Injury he had was serious. When a player experiences that the first thing is being selfish to get yourself healthy. Since I was here he was a bog part of every session and meeting. Energy was massive around the team. I know he's excited. Played well off the bench. Fully fit and ready to go.
Hard not to know Everton and Burnley are doing better?
I watched Burnley last night. They impressed me. Played hard and went after Southampton. Deserved to win. We have to expect that. A lot of teams want to stay in this league. Expecting less from teams would be foolish and naive.
Plan for 23s tonight?
We had a discussion abotu each player. Some will play and some won't. All excited for this match. All hearing about the attendance numbers. Exciting for our club. We will try to measure the minutes who play to keep them fresh for Monday.
Like Cresswell's attitude?
Consider him a fiorst-team player now. Had that discussion in our scotuing meeting. PErsonality is not afraid of anything. Even the first session we had he was the loudest player on the pitch. Does not shy away. He needs to play.
Forshaw's coming role?
Being around the team. Brought Adam to Watford knowing he had a small chance of playing, but mostly to be around the team and in the hotel, pre-game meetings. Made sure he had an impact on the prep for the game. I believe in leaders to contribute. We have a group here, commented on Cooper's captaincy. We have to draw on all our leaders. Big impact he can have right here.
Importance of 23s when you decided to come into this job?
I have wsorked with so many young players and it was a big part of the philosophy n so many clubs I have worked at. If you want to produce young and brave players then the bravest person has to be the first-team coach. Had a long talk with Greenwood and Joffy, their roles and how important they are. Important process with Cree. Fantastic every day since I have been here. Me being here is a signal to the academy we believe in youth development and we are committed to producing players, much like Marcelo's attention on the academy.
Bamford - last two?
Still feasibly. Exactly on track with where he hoped he would be. Balancing act. Credit the medical team and their stats to show a lot of injuries, but we get them back quicker than a lot of places. Firpo back much quicker than we expected. Patrick I am cautiously optimistic.