Southampton clash is chance for Leeds United to build momentum after lifting mood says Jamie Shackleton - YEP 12/10/21
Leeds United’s trip to Southampton represents an opportunity to build their way into the season, says Jamie Shackleton.
By Graham Smyth
Having failed to record a single win in their opening six
games of the new Premier League season, the Whites felt a ‘necessity’ to beat
Watford according to Shackleton’s team-mate Rodrigo and duly obliged with a 1-0
victory.
That gave everyone at Elland Road and Thorp Arch a
much-needed and timely boost ahead of a fortnight’s break, Shackleton told the
YEP.
“It was important we got that first win on the board going
into the international break that we’re in now,” said the utility man.
“It was important that the mood was lifted and I’d say it
has done that.”
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa granted some time off to the
players not involved in international action last week but preparations are now
in full swing for a return to action at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Last season Leeds picked up six points against Ralph
Hasenhüttl’s men, beating them 3-0 at Elland Road and 2-0 away from home.
The Saints are currently one of four sides sitting below
Leeds in the table with no wins to their name, but they have drawn four and
Hasenhüttl is content that they have had opportunities to pick up three points
from games so far.
Before the break he was targeting a first victory in the
next tranche of games, starting with the Leeds clash. But Shackleton says Leeds
are out to build on the Watford result and he himself is out to play a part.
“It’s another chance to hopefully put a bit of a run
together to go and get that second win straight after the first one,” he said.
“That’s what we’ll be looking to do.
