Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch had insisted that his immediate focus was on maintaining the Whites’ status in the league, as reported by BBC Radio in an interview.
Upon his arrival, he was tasked with the job of saving Leeds from relegation after a series of disappointing performances that led to the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa. The Whites have since won two and drawn one of their five matches under the American and have lifted themselves away from the dreaded drop zone. As Leeds United triumphed over Watford, they’ve now gone over and cemented their place in the league table.
Leeds United Emerged From A Tough Moment Against Fellow Strugglers
Ahead of the clash with Watford, a side that were struggling themselves, Jesse Marsch insisted that the entire focus would now be on surviving in the Premier League. They’ve emerged with a 3-0 win over the Hornets, proving that they will not be backing down from a relegation scrap.
The Whites, as a result, are sitting in the 16th place, ten points above Watford, a side currently at the 19th position in the league standings. Thus, Marsch can be very optimistic about his side’s chances of having to end this campaign as a Premier League team given their gap from the bottom three sides.
“It’s tricky to prepare for them as they rotate their group a lot. Watford is low in the table and fighting relegation, but Roy has done a good job, they are disciplined and organised, and it won’t be an easy match for us”, Marsch previously said in a press conference before the match.
Raphinha’s powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the area gave the visitors the lead after the Hornets had twice come close to scoring through Imran Louza and Cucho Hernandez.
Ismaila Sarr threw away a golden opportunity to get Watford in the lead in the second half before Rodrigo capitalised on a dreadful mix-up between Hassane Kamara and Samir to double the visitors’ advantage.
Leeds added to Watford’s misery when Jack Harrison beat Ben Foster with a powerful shot towards the far corner to complete the scoring on the day for the side from Yorkshire.
Marsch Remains Focused On Their Youth Department
The Whites have built up a reputation for developing and handing significant first-team opportunities to young players. Joe Gelhardt has played 14 Premier League games already with the highlight of his young career coming in the form of a late winner against Norwich City. The 19-year-old was seen limping with a dead leg in the last match for the Under-23s and is working on recovery as of now as Leeds are in desperate need of a striker.
The 20-year-old, Crysencio Summerville, had played five top-flight games this campaign but has not featured since December. His chances at grabbing a bigger role for the club is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
With Premier League allowing five substitutions from next season, it is an interesting opportunity to test out youth potential. The youngsters will battle for a bigger role with Gelhardt likely being Marsch’s favourite to take on a bigger role.
The future looks secure for the Whites if they can keep up the performance and retain their rising talents to climb up the table.
