JESSE MARSCH: WE’RE NOT CAPITALISING ON MOMENTS - Leedsunited.com 16/10/22

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch spoke to the media following Sunday’s home defeat to Arsenal.

The Premier League leaders were one-nil winners at Elland Road, with Bukayo Saka’s strike proving to be the difference between the two sides.

The Whites dominated large periods and Patrick Bamford missed a penalty in the second half as Leeds came away with nothing and Marsch was heartened by the display.

“It was a really good performance from us,” said Marsch.

“We were disciplined and showed concentration throughout the match, even with the late start which was strange on the day.

“It was a performance that showed, when we play the way we want to play, we can be very good, Arsenal are the best team in the league right now and today we were better.

“We’re making it hard for ourselves by not capitalising on moments when we are on top of games.

“In the second half we could’ve scored four or five goals and we’d have walked away feeling like it was the perfect match.

“I’m not discouraged, the goals will come and if we keep playing like that and believing in what we’re trying to achieve here, we have big potential this season.”

Leeds United defender Liam Cooper spoke to the media following Sunday’s one-nil defeat against Arsenal.

The Whites suffered a second loss in a row and a first at Elland Road this season in all competitions.

Cooper believes the Leeds performance warranted more than nothing.

“The delay at the start of the game wasn’t ideal, but I thought both teams did well and made it a very good spectacle throughout,” said Cooper.

“I thought we deserved a lot more from the game and we’re disappointed to come away with nothing again.

“It’s difficult, we were in the ascendancy, I can’t really remember Arsenal having too many chances and we’ve got to take our chances when they come and that is the level we are at.

“I think Bukayo Saka’s goal is only from a half chance and that shows what we are up against in this league.

“I hope that’s a catalyst to turn our season and efforts into more points and hopefully we can do that.”

The skipper also spoke about Patrick Bamford, who missed the chance to put Leeds level in the second half from the penalty spot.

He said: “Pat has had a rough year and nobody works harder.

“Strikers have patches of form and when we got the second penalty before it was overruled, Pat was the first one to step up and want it and that is credit to him.

“That’s the type of characters you need in a team and we had that today.

“Everybody to a man was really good, it’s just heart-breaking and gutting to come away with nothing.

“We’ve got to dust ourselves down, it’s a quick turnaround and now we have a massive game at Leicester on Thursday.”

Speaking after Sunday’s defeat against Arsenal at Elland Road, Tyler Adams summed up his thoughts on what he labelled a ‘frustrating’ afternoon for the Whites.

After being a goal behind at the break, the team came out second half and dominated throughout, creating multiple chances to find a leveller to Bukayo Saka’s opener.

Despite their best efforts, a first defeat of the season home turf couldn’t be avoided, with the league leaders holding out for all three points.

“It’s a bit of a frustrating one,” Adams stated.

“In the first half we had to figure some things out tactically going forward. Obviously, Arsenal are a dangerous team when they are in possession.

“I think in the second half we made them a little bit more uncomfortable and we created chances, we just didn’t convert one.

“We know the potential of the team we have and we’re confident in the players that we have and the guys coming off the bench.

“When you put in a complete performance like that and you get nothing out of it, of course it’s a little bit disheartening.

“But now moving forward, even with a loss we can still take momentum from that game and take it into the game on Thursday [against Leicester].”

One big chance in the match fell the way of striker, Patrick Bamford, however he was unable to convert from the penalty spot. Adams was quick to praise his teammate, who made such an impact after coming off the bench.

He said: “I feel for him a little bit, but he came into the game and completely changed it.

“So he should have confidence moving forward that when he’s in those situations, especially in front of the goal, that he’s going to put them away.

“The team has complete confidence in him, so yeah, he’ll get one.”