Tyler Adams issues defiant Leeds United message and casts view on Jesse Marsch comment - YEP 15/1/23
Tyler Adams has issued a defiant Leeds United message following Friday night's reverse at Aston Villa and expressed his view on boss Jesse Marsch's "complete performance" debrief.
Lee Sobot
Leeds fell to a ninth defeat of the Premier League season in
Friday's clash at Villa Park but created a host of chances that left Whites
boss Marsch beaming about the performance but not the result. United's American
head coach described the display as United's most complete performance since
his arrival at the club and Whites midfielder Adams said he completely
concurred, believing luck was a big factor in not taking all three points.
"Yeah, I definitely agree with that," said Adams
to LUTV, asked about Marsch's assessment. "Frustration is probably the
first word that comes to mind when describing the performance because for large
parts of the game, I would say that we controlled them and it's never easy to
come to an away ground like this and control the game.
"We played a strong opponent, but the mentality of the
boys today was really, really good. We continue to try and work on some
variables offensively, tactically, and how we can break opponents down and I
think that we were very confident today and brave on the ball. But sometimes
luck just doesn't go your favour and it's unfortunate not to come away with
three points."
Leeds were immediately on the front foot at Villa and
squandered a glorious chance in just the second minute as a Jack Harrison'
corner picked out Marc Roca who failed to make contact with the ball in the
middle of the box. Instead, 15 seconds later, Villa were ahead as Leon Bailey
finished off a rapid counter.
Ashley Young released Boubacar Kamara following Roca's
failure to connect and Kamara stormed up the pitch before laying the ball off
to Bailey who cut inside Pascal Struijk before producing a curling finish into
the top left corner. Adams admitted Leeds should have been 1-0 up instead of
1-0 down.
"Things happen," said the USA international star.
"We tried to run a good set piece play. To be fair, it came off and we
probably should have scored it. It was a perfect delivery, it came to Marc I
think and unfortunately he just couldn't put it on frame but to go down that
early obviously makes things difficult and we have to dig ourselves out of a
hole.
"But at the end of the day, again, the mentality of the
boys was good. We try and fight back. Even when they scored another goal, we're
right back in the game with our goal. We had more than enough time, but we just
had to stay focused and unfortunately we just couldn't find another one."
Villa were particularly indebted to some fine goalkeeping
from World Cup winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez who produced a particularly
fantastic save to deny Harrison at point-blank range from a Luke Ayling cross.
Villa veteran Ashley Young also produced an outstanding tackle to prevent Adams
from pulling the trigger as he surged into the box.
"Unbelievable," said Adams, asked about the key
moments of the Martinez save and Young tackle. “The save from Emi Martinez was
world class. On some goalkeepers in the league, maybe he finds the back of the
net but it was a great save and then (the tackle) that was one of those plays
where you look at Ashley Young and you just have to give props for obviously a
wel- timed challenge.
"I thought I had it but he beat me to it and (Tyrone)
Mings as well, both sliding in trying to protect their goal. Credit to them.
Maybe on a different day, it comes to my feet and I could finish it or put it
on frame but not today."
