Michael Owen has claimed that teams can ‘do what they like’ after Leeds United boss, Jesse Marsch, criticised Aston Villa’s tactics during their goalless draw at Elland Road on Sunday.
The former striker spoke about the ‘passionate’ Leeds United fans and how it’s up to Marsch, tactics and his players to get the crowd up, as he told Premier League Productions (02/10/22 at 6:50 pm).
There may have been no goals from yesterday’s game, but it wasn’t short of drama because the game was full of aggression and annoyed fans in the stands.
Luis Sinisterra’s red card – for a double booking at the start of the second half which Roy Keane slammed – just took the heat in the Yorkshire kitchen up a few levels.
Despite Ollie Watkins missing a number of big chances to win the game, the Whites came out of the match with a deserved draw and Marsch labelled Villa’s play as ‘snail pace’, as he told Sky Sports.
Those comments didn’t sit well with Owen, who shared that it’s up to Leeds to set the pace for their fans to enjoy, not those on the other side.
“I get where he is coming from, in terms of what he is trying to do,” said Owen. “When you have got a crowd like Leeds have, then I think you have to make use of that.
“Certain crowds in the Premier League are noisier than others and some are really passionate. Leeds are absolutely like that. They live for their football. They make a lot of noise.
“To get the crowd involved is a big advantage. How he does that is down to them, down to the tactics that he uses and down to the players. How they stir up that crowd. Down to the ball boy and what they get told and things like that.
“So, it’s in their hands. Teams can do what they like. If they want to win fouls or slow the game down, then it’s a tactic you are allowed to use, but it’s down to Leeds to get that going.”
DESERVED CLEAN SHEET FOR LEEDS
It may seem a long time ago because of the postponements and the international break, but the last time Leeds were in action, they were all over the place and they shipped five at Brentford.
From that perspective, this was a great response from Marsch’s side, added to the fact that they were playing with ten men for most of the second half.
Leeds’ defensive issues have been there for all to see, whether it’s Marcelo Bielsa in the dugout or now Marsch.
But the American, the more he gets comfortable in his surroundings, is starting to change things for the good and this recent clean sheet should be seen as a positive.
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