What Javi Gracia had to say after a 'special' first game in charge for Leeds United against Premier League rivals Southampton - Yorkshire Post 25/2/23
RECENTLY-APPOINTED head coach Javi Gracia believes that Leeds United's precious victory over Southampton will provide a confidence booster for everyone connected with the club.
By Leon Wobschall
A goal from Junior Firpo moved the Elland Road outfit out of
the top-flight relegation zone in the Spaniard's first game in charge as United
avoided creating an unwanted club record of 11 Premier League matches without a
victory.
The hero was Firpo, who scored his first competitive goal in
two years and a maiden one for Leeds when he profited from clever work from substitute
Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison to beat Saints keeper Gavin Bazunu in
front of the Kop 13 minutes from time.
It was a rare moment of quality in a poor game, although
Leeds deserved their victory against a desperately poor Saints side.
It was United's first league success since beating another
south-coast side in Bournemouth, also at home, back in early November.
Gracia said: "I feel really well and I am really happy.
"When I came, I could feel all the people in and around
the club really needed a victory and good result. It's good for the confidence.
"I know it's only one step but at the moment for us,
it's an important step.
"It was really special (at Elland Road). I knew and I
could see it before coming, but to have this result is different.
"We knew Southampton, in the last game, were really
solid and well-organised and we knew it would be a tough game, a very close
game.
"We found a good balance to defend well and get a clean
sheet and a way to be offensive. We tried to create more chances.
"But nobody created (many) chances, but it was the game
we wanted and we got a good result for us. I knew we had a good chance and we
took it.
"We prepared as best as possible and tried to be solid
and compact and waited for our moment. I think we did it and the players did
their job.
"We found a good balance to defend well and get a clean
sheet. I knew we had a good chance to win and we took it."
Defenders Liam Cooper and Pascal Strujik were not involved
for Leeds and Gracia is unsure how long they will be sidelined for.
He added: "He (Cooper) has had problems and I don't
know how long they will be out, but they are not training with us.
"Both centre-backs (Robin Koch and Max Wober) played
really well today. It was a tough challenge with top players, but all the
defensive line was very concentrated and the good work of the team meant we got
a clean sheet."
