The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 21st October) - Leicester defeat raises questions over Marsch's future

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Friday 21st October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Hang your heads in shame

Jesse Marsch made a hasty retreat to the dressing room upon the final whistle, as boos rang out from the away continent at the King Power Stadium last night. It was nothing more than Leeds deserved. Whilst the Whites may have one of the most loyal fan bases in the World, they don't suffer fools gladly. It was hoped their display against Arsenal last Sunday, was going to be the start of a much-needed revival, yet 15 minutes in, when Robin Koch turned the ball into his own net, it was clear that they'll face an uphill battle to survive, come May.

But Leeds haven't learned from their mistakes. They work incredibly hard to win the ball, only to lose possession a few passes later, only to repeat the very same process again and again... Our forward line never looked like scoring; they could still be playing now, and still not find the back of the net. This is against a team that have conceded more goals than any other top flight team (24).

After Harvey Barnes added Leicester's second, ten minutes before the interval, there was never going to be a way back for the Whites. Even with a second half forward line consisting of Bamford, Rodrigo and Gelhardt, they were unable to put Danny Ward under any kind of pressure.

Next up, free scoring Fulham are the visitors to Elland Road. Following their 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last night, the Cottagers will relish the chance to inflict more damage on Jesse Marsch's men. After that, a trip to Anfield....





How much time has Marsch got left

Jesse Marsch earned himself some rest bite by saving Leeds from relegation last season, but goodwill can only go so far. After a magnificent start to this campaign, Leeds have been on a one way collision course towards the Championship, and nobody has thought to hit the brakes.

Their performance last night was difficult to watch. Unable to string a few passes together and rudderless going forward, it's easy to work out that confidence has hit an all-time low, but how do they switch things around? How much more time will Marsch be allocated to turn things around, or is the writing already on the wall?





What next for the Whites

Leeds latest loss raises many questions, with few solutions being offered. If a (relatively) fully fit Leeds squad can't compete with a bottom of the table Leicester team, with many of their key players missing, what hope do they have, moving forward.

Unprecedented injuries last season contributed to Bielsa's departure, but what excuse can Marsch give? More or less, apart from the odd niggle, the American has had few key players out of action this season, yet performance levels suggest otherwise.

Are Leeds going to splash the cash in January to keep them afloat in the top flight? Marsch threw everything he had in the second half last night, yet Bamford, Rodrigo and Gelhardt barely made a dent on the Leicester City defence. Is it a fitness issue with Bamford, or has he reached his expiry date? Does Gelhardt need to go out on loan, and what on earth should we do with record signing Rodrigo?

[The Subhuman]

I knew we had a big fan base, no idea it was as big as a continent

[The Subhuman]

I still say Marsch didn't save us from relegation.

[Ellandback1]

Steven Gerrard sacked last night, and he had to travel back with his (ex) squad on the team bus.

Almost as awkward as watching Leeds performance last night!

Who'd take Gerrard over Marsch?

[The Subhuman]

Steven Gerrard sacked last night, and he had to travel back with his (ex) squad on the team bus.

Almost as awkward as watching Leeds performance last night!

Who'd take Gerrard over Marsch?

Straight choice with no one else on the table? I'd take Gerrard....

[Byebyegeegee]

I can’t see Marsch lasting longer than another defeat, this time by Fulham at home.

Quite who would replace him I have absolutely no idea but, whoever it is, their first job will be to try and get the players heads up off the floor, re-instil a bit of confidence, widen the pitch and then just trust to luck. There will be no help from the board in the form of new players in January, I suspect, Radz isn’t the kind of businessman to start throwing good money after bad.

I’m ready for throwing the towel in, accepting relegation and re-building from there, like Fulham, Bournemouth and Norwich seem to be able to do. Although knowing our luck, if we go down, it’ll be another 16 years before we’re back up again.

I feel truly downhearted after last night’s game and, at the moment, I can’t honestly see any light at the end of the tunnel. Sorry folks!

[SG90]

Steven Gerrard sacked last night, and he had to travel back with his (ex) squad on the team bus.

Almost as awkward as watching Leeds performance last night!

Who'd take Gerrard over Marsch?

Not me! Can anyone guarantee a new manager will get us charging up the table and winning matches? I don't believe so. Too many players with no fight and enormous wages, earning an easy life.

Unless we're in a critical position, I don't see how changing managers will help. The players and board need to start taking responsibility as well.

[velo]

Who'd take Gerrard over Marsch?

Hell No !

[Chilli D]

JM looked a totally forlorn figure last night in the second half.
None of the over enthusiastic watch pointing or arguing with officials we saw at the start of the season.
It was almost as if he has resigned himself to losing his job. He looked totally spent.
He should have acknowledged the fans at the end of the game though. These are loyal people who spend a lot of money following the team and they should be applauded for it.
If he goes, I have no idea who we could replace him with. Not Bielsa though. That ship has sailed.

[Irish Ian]

I knew we had a big fan base, no idea it was as big as a continent

And those tight seats at Elland Road dont help.

[Irish Ian]

Not me! Can anyone guarantee a new manager will get us charging up the table and winning matches? I don't believe so. Too many players with no fight and enormous wages, earning an easy life.

Unless we're in a critical position, I don't see how changing managers will help. The players and board need to start taking responsibility as well.

No one can guarantee anything it's true.
The issue that has concerned many has been the set up of the team.
Jesse seems wedded to his counter pressing narrow philosophy which when it fails looks bloody awful.
A fresh eye may help. But we need an experienced manager to get us moving now.

[Scoobychief]

we could be heading for the magic manager round about like before Marcelo came. what was it about 3 managers a year.

[WhiteRose]

Marsch is just way out of his depth and is operating with a deeply flawed tactical model. Dosnt appear to want to make changes until desperation gets the better of him. I honestly think mark jackson would get more out of these players and would much rather he be in the dug out come Sunday.

Edit: pointless debate apparently the board believe in the project and have no intention of removing Marsch from his post. Let’s see what elland Road thinks to that if Fulham win.

[SG90]

No one can guarantee anything it's true.
The issue that has concerned many has been the set up of the team.
Jesse seems wedded to his counter pressing narrow philosophy which when it fails looks bloody awful.
A fresh eye may help. But we need an experienced manager to get us moving now.

True everything is a gamble. I just don't see anyone realistic who'd be a vast improvement. Wolves and Villa are both struggling to find new managers and they have far more wealth than us.

[Kennyb41]

I wouldn't touch Gerrard with a barge pole.

There's only one guy that can dig us out of this hole and with the 6 week WC break around the corner it's a no brainer.

Those away fans of ours are the most loyal and they know what they want to watch when they travel and spend like they do, they are missing the football he brought to this club and the way he played, and don't give me any bullshit nonsense talk about a run of tough matches and heavy defeats...he was hindered like a lame horse.

Open your eyes and ALL the glorious games he gave you even in 3-4 home defeats to Liverpool, he's the only man on the planet that can get bob standard average players playing wonderful football...

And as a TEAM.

[BGwhite]

I wouldn't touch Gerrard with a barge pole.

There's only one guy that can dig us out of this hole and with the 6 week WC break around the corner it's a no brainer.

Those away fans of ours are the most loyal and they know what they want to watch when they travel and spend like they do, they are missing the football he brought to this club and the way he played, and don't give me any bullshit nonsense talk about a run of tough matches and heavy defeats...he was hindered like a lame horse.

Open your eyes and ALL the glorious games he gave you even in 3-4 home defeats to Liverpool, he's the only man on the planet that can get bob standard average players playing wonderful football...

And as a TEAM.

Who is it then Kenny ? Come on give us a clue !!

Sent from my moto g(9) plus using Tapatalk

[Kennyb41]

You ALL know now BG, it's just some will bite their nose off to spite their face and never admit what he can do, pride you see, they don't like to admit what only a few of us knew all along.

[John in Louisiana]

Wasn't the loss so much as the manner of the loss. The team just seemed so lifeless.

Incredibly disheartening.

The Struijk change was necessary, but why change the side that performed so well vs. Arsenal so drastically?

[Musicman1965]

Another disappointing defeat where Leeds just didn't show up. Questions have to be raised about where we go from here as the team
could not cope with Leicester City. Our stats say it all, nothing really created and no end product to even suggest we are improving. I supported Marsch from the start. With all jobs that are results based you can only survive if you have some sort of consistancy. In the news Gerrard has been dismissed after a dismal run of results and with the investment that was put into his team he has failed to get the best out of what he has. Same with Marsch. what ever he is doing is not working and his time will come to an end unless he can come up with a winning formula. I reckon he has two games at most and then the Leeds board will react.
As for Gerrard being considered as a possible replacement, why on earth would we switch to another manager having the same problems. There is even talk of bringing back the Bucket to the sidelines so we can lose by a clear 6 goals and definitely be relegated, its laughable...
Anyway lets see what happens, Marsch has vowed to stop the bleeding, is this code for a change of formation maybe??

[UK2USA]

I said in a previous post as a Leeds fan for over 50 years, I've learned to manage expectations. It's so easy to get emotional especially after watching that performance last night, but then we tend to overlook facts and stats, and can only blame and look for obvious scapegoats. It was 'unwatchable' lethargic, and frustrating, especially after some really positive signs against Arsenal. It's easy to start wanting Marsch out and blaming him. If we lose against Fulham, then who knows, but last night I saw a manager who I really don't think coaches his players to make so many individual errors and that was evident by the shaking & hanging of his head at players like Rodrigo who for a second game in a row had a rush of blood to the head with a pass that beggars belief at this level. Most of the players last night couldn't make a simple pass? Our shooting/finishing is woeful, and 13 shots on goal with 2 on target highlights that. It's the same old story every game, we create chances and lack the finish, then we blame 'luck, the refs' and now Marsch! We can't play out from the back, especially with players who's control is questionable - thats not on a coach to teach and has nothing to do with his playbook. He looked completely at a loss as to what he was watching and I hope he made himself heard in that dressing room last night.

Messlier's distribution is too slow, and playing the ball around in our own third rather than moving the ball quickly to transition forward like we did well in the Arsenal game will always leave us open to problems. It did last night. Then we commit needless fouls that often lead to opposition goals. Cooper's in the Palace game that got them back in it from the resulting free kick, is just one example. We are littered with 'individual' mistakes and errors week after week, and judging by some of the 'very forgiving' player ratings on here you think a new manager will change this around. IMHO, no player should have got a 6 rating last night other than Aaronsen. We have some capable players but we also have some that shouldn't be playing until they go back to basics and have a desire to earn their inflated wages.

The board and scouts brought in players on the cheap for the most part, and you get what you don't pay for - a lack of quality. The board have shown they either don't have the kind of money ( I believe we are 18th in richest owners) in this to compete in the money driven Prem, or just want to maximize their profits, when they walk away. Do you think there are top quality managers just lining up to manage Leeds? It will be the usual 'recycled' failed managers to choose from, assuming the board have any money to attract anyone else, and can afford to pay Marsch off. We are a bottom 6 'just survive' club and the board seem happy with this, and this is why I've managed my expectations again this season. Making excuses for Bamford's lack of fitness or rustiness is getting old. You don't need fitness to score a penalty, or convert at least 1 of the many guilt edge chances he has had. Bringing on players like Klich, (1 goal and 2 assists in over 40 games!!) and kids with no proven first team experience or goals are not the answer especially in our current position, but this is all Marsch or any other manager as to work with. The board & Marsch knew we needed a quality striker, & LB but with Leeds all we ever get are rumors and fed spoon fed hope. He's got two misfiring senior strikers (terrible scoring stats) and a kid to get us the goals, and a bench that will hardly attract a top manager to come and turn us into a team not having to hope at the end of the season there are 3 worse teams below us. Yes, I'm as frustrated as us all, but in my opinion a lot of these players need to start earning a living rather than stealing one, and the board need to stop thinking 'Hope is a strategy' its not! MOT