Accrington Stanley vs Leeds United press conference highlights: Marsch explains Adams injury and Rutter to start - YEP 26/1/23
Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch faces the media this afternoon as he prepares to take his side to League One Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup Fourth Round
Joe Donnohue
Leeds negotiated their way past Championship outfit Cardiff
City at the second time of asking in the previous round, while Accrington
required extra-time to defeat non-league Boreham Wood. The League One club are
in the midst of a relegation battle, hoping to remain in the third tier but
recognise progression in English football’s oldest club competition is also a
vital money-spinner.
Saturday lunchtime’s game will be broadcast live to the
nation on BBC One at 12:30pm from the Wham Stadium in Lancashire. Jesse Marsch
is understood to be pleased about the quality of the pitch at Accrington, and
hosts his pre-match press conference this afternoon from 1:30pm.
Marsch on FA Cup memories
I remember watching Arsenal when they had a good run under
Wenger when they were winning the FA Cups. I remember in college watching some
matches, recalling exactly who was in them not so much. I remember the shape of
the cup. Hopefully some day I’ll get to see it.
Marsch on prospect of winning the FA Cup
You do this job to win trophies. And I’ve been lucky enough
to be part of teams that have done that, whether it was in Leipzig as an
assistant and as a coach we had a good cup record, Salzburg very good cup
record, as a player, it’s because I’ve always taken very seriously. It’s way
too early for us to start talking about that [at Leeds]. Every morning I get up
at the crack of dawn, I do it with the idea of getting this club closer and
ultimately winning. I love people and I love relationships but I want to be a
winner.
Marsch on being tempted to adopt a Guardiola model
Yes, I have in some ways. Some people reacted to minimum
width [poster from dressing room wall shared on social media], that’s actually
a Pep Guardiola principle. There are some ideas I just flat out steal. It’s
part imagination, part thievery.
Marsch on tactics
In England you have a lot of teams who like to mimic Pep
Guardiola. Big switches and 1-v-1s at the back post, there are a lot of
different challenges. The obvious one is the quality. It’s forced me to adapt
tactically what we want to do with how we manage games.
Marsch on ‘football university’ Salzburg
The exchanges that I had with Rose, Nagelsmann, Struber,
Hasenhuttl, Rangnick, Hutter, there’s so many amazing coaches, and to see how
each one of them interpreted what they thought was important in the game.
Oliver Glasner is another one. Lot of Germans and Austrians who’ve helped me
along the way
Marsch on Sinisterra
We just had an individual meeting with Luis, and talked
about the different developments over the past months. Physically, we have to
increase his fitness for sure. He will play on Saturday, that’s the best thing
for him, match minutes.
Marsch on Drameh
I see no doubt a future here for him. He and I have formed a
pretty strong relationship over the past 8 months. The first time I met him he
was dissatisfied about coming back. Over time, I think he sees his potential
here, of what we’re doing as a club. I told him when he left, that it’s
unfortunate that we didn’t have more opportunities for him to develop right
here right now with us because I think he’s ready for those challenges. We
thought it was important to join a club who are pushing for something. By the
way, a lot of clubs were interested in him.
Marsch on his visit to Accrington
They were very gracious and welcoming to us. I saw what the
ground was like, I think it’s special to see what the environment is. They have
a lot of pride in the pitch, it’s a stitched pitch. They have a lot of pride in
what they’ve built in there. Our away fans have a nice bar area, a nice stadium
atmosphere. Their team competes hard, they value the tournament in a big way.
They competed in every moment, lots of set-pieces, long throw-ins.
Marsch on Armas’ strengths as an addition to the backroom
team
He’s good at being a good listener. He’s a good guy in
relationships.
Maybe it’ll take away the Ted Lasso moniker and give it to
him. We know each other. Chris and I have known each other a long time, we’ve
won championships together, played for the national team together. My respect
level for him as a player was probably higher than any other player in my
career. He was my captain at Chicago Fire. He was my partner in defensive
midfield together. What we built in New York was also really special.
Marsch on Harrison transfer links
His commitment to being here has been amazing. He’s an
important guy for us, I haven’t even discussed it with Jack because for me it’s
really clear: we need him. He’ll be ready for Saturday as well.
Marsch on Armas appointment
The respect I have for him is at a very high level. He’s
already have an impact. He understands the league by being at Man Utd and the
football we’re trying to play. For me he’s a good fit.
Marsch on magic of the cup
In the US, we always would talk about the FA Cup, even when
we were 7. You’d be out on the pitch with your buddies like ‘it’s the FA Cup
Final!’ We know what it means, the David vs Goliath, it’s an inspiring
narrative.
Marsch on Koch-Wober partnership
The reason why they performed well together is because
they’re very intelligent. It’s a definite possibility we could play with them
again.
Marsch on Rutter debut
Georgi has looked really good in training, there’s a high
probability we start with him. By being in Germany, he understands a lot of the
principles we use. I’m excited to get him going.
Marsch on risking Cooper and Adams
I just want to see where they’re at. I don’t think their
injuries are so bad. We want to go to Accrington and make sure we go for the
victory. We’ve got the chance to push in this tournament and take it totally
seriously. We’ll see how those guys are.
Marsch on injuries
Adam, Archie still out but Archie has been active on the
pitch. Cree Summerville is on the pitch but not training with the team. Should
be available for next weekend. Dallas still injured. Coops is questionable and
Adams is questionable. Matchday decision with those two. Cody Drameh, I think
there’ll be an announcement about his loan later today
