Jesse Marsch blasts 'tactic' after Aston Villa stalemate and reveals striker injury - YEP 2/10/22
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch had no comment on Stuart Attwell’s performance after a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, but had plenty to say on time wasting.
By Graham Smyth
The Elland Road clash was held up as early as the 20th
minute as Attwell spoke to Villa keeper Emiliano Martínez about hurrying up at
restarts and Leeds grew increasingly frustrated as the first half went on.
A second half red card for Luis Sinisterra, who earned a
second yellow card by blocking a free-kick, changed the course of the fixture
and placed the boot on the other foot as Illan Meslier began to take his time
for goal-kicks, something Steven Gerrard was keen to point out after the game.
Marsch declined to address Attwell’s refereeing display but
wants to have further discussions with the Premier League, having already had
talks with officials.
"Ask another question please because I’m not going to
comment on the official,” he said.
“I will be speaking to somebody from the league, I've
already spoken with the referee committee - this is clearly a tactic.
"I was told, managers were told and by the way, they
took up another hour and a half of our time this past week to remind us that
they're going to do better with controlling the play, the run of playing
matches.
"So I didn't create that dialogue, that's not my
agenda, that's the league's agenda. I feel bad for our fans when they have to
come to this match and they have to watch that - they want to see an energetic
game so, I will be discussing that with somebody and we will as a club."
Marsch will also speak individually with Sinisterra, having
broached with the entire team the need to be smarter and not ‘dig holes’ for
themselves.
“I'll speak with Luis,” he said. "The second yellow I
think is not an intelligent play and gets Luis in trouble and then gets us in
trouble.
"I don't think any big statement needs to be made. I
think he's pretty clear that that was not an intelligent decision. But he's
important for us and we really liked him as a guy and as a player.”
The point gained with 10 men was, Marsch said, testament to
his side’s character and resilience, although he wanted them to push the game
more in the first half and sent the team out after the break with that exact
instruction.
One of his second half substitutions reintroduced Patrick
Bamford to Premier League football and the striker was involved in two late
chances for the Whites, creating a shooting opportunity for himself and teeing
up Mateusz Klich.
Marsch revealed after the game that Bamford had been
struggling with another niggle during the week.
“Patrick had a little bit of a knock that he took and wasn't
able to train all week so he was a little bit in question, whether he was going
to be available or not,” said the head coach.
"I decided not to tell you guys that two days ago. I
hope you don't hold it against me, that I held some information back. But in
the end, I felt like he was going to be available and I didn't want to put any
information out that he was maybe a little bit injured or picked up a little
something, I felt pretty strongly that he would be ready to go today.”
