Former Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe has been speaking on The 2 Robbies podcast with Robbie Earle and the pair have stressed the need for Jesse Marsch to be given time and patience to start climbing up the table.
Leeds United coach Jesse Marsch has been under fire recently after his side had gone eight games without a win, slipping into the relegation places in the process. Despite a poor run of results, the American insisted the performances were getting better and his team shouldn’t be in the position that they found themselves in. In fairness to Marsch, Leeds have played well, for the most part, this season but they have struggled to put teams to the sword when they have been on top and ultimately having a weak defence has put them at a disadvantage from the kick-off. Generally conceding first and giving themselves a mountain to climb.
Two superb wins have helped them jump up the table and the 2-1 Victory at Anfield, with the 4-3 thriller at home to Bournemouth have seen the Whites climb to 12th in the Premier League table. If they can get something on Saturday at Spurs, then the table looks different going into the World Cup break. Marsch has certainly bought himself some time, and it will be fascinating to see if there will be any more additions in the January transfer window.
Mustoe said, “I think you saw from the emotions at the end (at Liverpool), the late goal going in from Summerville, a young attacking wide player that was trusted to start this game. I just thought the manager made some very bold and brave decisions with his line-up, with his substitutions and of course Willy Gnonto coming on.”
“The young Italian player who gets involved in the goal, he does really well on the left-hand side to create that winning goal. I mean talk about – I don’t know – a team that, when it really needs a performance and a victory, Jesse Marsch gets them in a position to do that. Again, there was some bravery with the line-up and how they faced it at 1-1, they were still willing and able to try and get that winning goal. Massive for Leeds, huge for Jesse Marsch.”
“We were talking about it and what that does in terms of buying him time, I guess persuading the ownership and maybe, kind of the fans. He’s got to get the fans back on board. We know the game against Fulham, the chants were starting, the fans were leaving. I hope he’s earned more respect, more trust because, I believe and I’ll say it right now, that there are definitely at least three, four or five teams that are not as good as Leeds United.
“I think Leeds are going to be absolutely fine this season if everybody stays in control, stays behind the manager. There will be other games that don’t go well. The fans in my opinion have got to stick with the manager because if you’re going to make a change who knows who’s going to come in? This squad has been moulded by Marsch this summer and I think he deserves time and patience from everyone involved to find some form, some results and climb the league.”
Should Marsch be given the January window?
Yes, he deserves it
No, waste of money
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