Jesse Marsch discusses Raphinha availability as injury concerns grow - YEP 12/5/22
Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch has discussed injuries to Jack Harrison and Raphinha as well as his verdict on Daniel James' red card
By Joe Donnohue
Leeds United's failure to gain anything from their latest
match against Chelsea has left the team languishing in the bottom three with
fixtures running out before the end of the season.
Only two games remain for Leeds to pick up points and save
themselves from a return to the second tier.
They will face Brighton and Hove Albion at home this Sunday,
before travelling to Brentford seven days later.
Daniel James' red card during the first half against the
Blues compounded the misery of Chelsea's early goal and gave the head coach yet
another selection headache to contend with.
Here are three talking points from the YEP in response to
United's latest defeat and imminent relegation danger.
In his post-match press conference, head coach Jesse Marsch
refused to blame Daniel James for the reckless challenge which saw him shown a
straight red card.
The American was questioned on the discipline of his side
following their latest defeat, in the wake of Luke Ayling's red card at the
Emirates Stadium last weekend.
Marsch admitted his players had perhaps exhibited too much
aggression in recent weeks, leading to the injury of Stuart Dallas, and the red
cards shown to Ayling and James.
The 48-year-old did refute the suggestion that Dallas'
tackle on Jack Grealish which resulted in his femoral fracture could be
categorised along with James and Ayling's challenges, but acknowledged his
side's overzealousness.
Marsch has shouldered responsibility for his players'
performances since his arrival but the lack of attacking cohesion during their
latest defeat to nil against 'top six' opposition was cause for concern and
another discussion topic at Elland Road.
While the quality of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea is
undoubtedly greater than that of Leeds, there appeared little composure from
United's players when rare forays into the opposition's third were made,
throughout those three matches.
Going down to ten men in the first half of two of those
matches serves as something of a caveat but does not materially lessen concern
with the team still occupying a space in the bottom three, having played a game
more than immediate relegation rivals Burnley and Everton.
Another talking point from Wednesday night's defeat is a
familiar one: the shrinking pool of players available to the head coach.
Leeds lost Daniel James to suspension, days after losing
Luke Ayling for the remainder of the campaign.
This is in addition to Crysencio Summerville, Adam Forshaw,
Stuart Dallas and Tyler Roberts who are all sidelined until next season.
Patrick Bamford was not involved in the matchday squad and
is only just returning to full training with the group, while Jack Harrison was
withdrawn during the first half and will require a scan to determine the
severity of his latest injury.
In short, Leeds' options are increasingly limited when they
need them most.
"Raphinha's [substitution] I think was more
precautionary, he was cramping and I just wanted to make sure that we didn't
push him too much. And we'll see how Jack is," Marsch said.
"We'll have to scan them in the morning."
