Jesse Marsch reveals Leeds United board discussions as Elland Road protests Fulham loss - YEP 23/10/22

Jesse Marsch took full responsibility for Leeds United’s woeful form after a 3-2 defeat by Fulham, but believes he and the board remain united on his future at the club.

By Graham Smyth

Just as 3,000 away fans at Leicester City made clear their anger at the way the team is performing under Marsch, Elland Road turned on him and the board during a defeat that extended Leeds’ winless streak to eight games.

Defeat left them in the Premier League relegation zone, two points from safety and those left inside the stadium at full-time left Marsch and the club’s decision makers in no doubt about their unhappiness.

The head coach has no issue with the response.

"I understand the frustration from the fans and we are equally frustrated and more so,” he said.

"We are doing everything we can and we are together, we are unified. The players have been great, and I know it hasn't been easy for them or us but we believe in them. We believe in them and I have to find ways to help them get better. And the board and I are unified completely. We've had clear discussions that we're together in this.”

Marsch indicated that those discussions had taken place after the Fulham game and prior to him sitting down in front of the press to discuss the game and his position.

He felt his side found ‘new ways’ to hurt their chances, despite making the ideal start. Leeds got what should have been an all-important opening goal, through a Rodrigo header, but led for just six minutes before conceding a soft set-piece equaliser, scored by Aleksandar Mitrović.

The Whites were fortunate not to go behind as Fulham exposed defensive frailties and forced a goal-saving clearance from Robin Koch and a one-v-one stop from Illan Meslier, but they did start the second half well and created some promising attacks.

Yet poor defending cost them again, Bobby De Cordova-Reid heading in unmarked on 74 minutes to spark angry chants and booing. Harrison Reed made things worse by taking advantage of weak tackling in the area to find Willian, who in turn found the net.

Substitute Crysencio Summerville poked in a second for Leeds, from Joe Gelhardt’s pass, but it was too little, too late as Leeds slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat.

"I think we had a really good start and that was a big focus, we wanted to get the lead, we wanted to bring our fans into the game,” said Marsch.

"And then when we get the lead, if we can maintain the lead and be stable – the disappointment on a set piece, especially for Mitrovic to get free, is that we find new ways to hurt ourselves ,but then we put the game in balance again and it's a half where if we get out 1-0, we're really pushing the game. And then second half, I think the start is okay, the game is in the balance and then you see they're a team with confidence right now and they find ways to win and we find ways, when we have chances we can't quite convert, to lose.

"I take responsibility, I have to find ways and solutions for us to get results so that we can gain a little bit more momentum back and start to get our season on track.”