Adam Pope gives honest Jesse Marsch verdict amid Leeds United progress claims - Leeds All Over 8/12/22

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Adam Elliott

Adam Pope of BBC Leeds has brought into question what Jesse Marsch‘s success with Leeds United may look like this season, suggesting the club have not made progress under his tutelage.

Jesse Marsch came in as head coach on February 28th, the day after Marcelo Bielsa was sacked, and kept the Whites in the division to keep them in the Premier League for a third season running.

The American has been a divisive figure among the fanbase since then, but his side currently sit in 15th in the league table, just two points above the relegation zone.

This January window could be a make or break one for Marsch and co. in securing survival once again.

Pope, speaking on BBC’s Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast questioned whether there is a fair enough sample size now to evaluate Marsch and believes, he said: “Is that a fair measure to say ‘hang on this isn’t going as it should be?'”

He admitted that certain conditions have hampered the American, with the club failing to sign a left-back and striker, he added: “That’s not his fault.”

However, when asked if staying up is the primary aim for Marsch, Pope argued that the club should be looking higher, despite the holes in the playing squad, he said: “Have you realigned your assessment of what this season was about if you do that? That [staying up] means no progress.”

He outlined what success could look like, but that he is yet to see the club move forwards since changing managers, Pope said: “Does it translate into ability to move the club onto the next level? And that’s the evolution I’m struggling to see at this stage. Has it moved it [the club] forward? It’s hard to make a case it’s moved forward.”

It’s hard to argue with Pope’s claims.

Leeds have survived relegation again last season, and in doing so Marsch hit the minimum target, but the club have not moved forwards since his arrival in many other areas.

The small successes have been on making the playing squad significantly younger and giving the squad cycle a necessary refresh, and also on using more of the Under-21 players than before, with the likes of Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville taking big strides forwards this season.

Beyond that, the project remains largely the same, but perhaps remaining stagnant is the aim for now in order to stabilise the club before kicking on in future seasons.

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