Rodrigo has explained how Leeds United felt a necessity to beat Watford at Elland Road in their Premier League encounter prior to the October international break, via Leeds Live.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side hosted the Vicarage Road natives in what proved to be Xisco Munoz’s final game in charge of the Hornets chasing a first win of the season. Leeds had lost three and drawn three of their opening six top-flight fixtures to sit inside the relegation zone.
Displays against West Ham and Newcastle showed promise for Leeds, but Rodrigo admits the players realised the need to win. That feeling proved strong in the dressing room ahead of facing Watford, but the Spaniard claims not through pressure.
“Before the game, the team, of course, felt the necessity to win,” Rodrigo said. “Not a pressure, but a necessity we had to win and confidence at the same time, because we thought we deserved more in terms of points before the game.
“We did a really great game against Newcastle, a really great game against West Ham, also. Games we could win, we should win, but didn’t happen.
“The feeling was a necessity to win, but at the same time the confidence we were in a good way, and we faced the game as always. We tried to start the game with big intensity, tried to impose our style from the start of the game and we could do that.
“As I said before, we created enough chances to score more goals, one at least. And it’s true the victory before the international break gave us calm, gave us confidence and showed us we were right before the game.”
Can Leeds and Rodrigo kickstart their season after Watford win?
Leeds will hope beating Watford allows Bielsa’s side to kickstart their season after a poor opening run of results. The Whites will, like Rodrigo says, be able to take confidence from the win and use it as a springboard.
Rodrigo will also look to open his account for the season soon after a lively 90-minutes at home to Watford. The 30-year-old struck a good partnership with Raphinha, but lacked the final moment to find the net.
Bielsa has a great chance to oversee back-to-back wins in Leeds’ next fixture, when Rodrigo and co visit Southampton. The Saints are another of the top-flight’s early strugglers, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s outfit one of the four remaining winless clubs.
Southampton have also lost their last two Premier League games after a run of four draws. They had even held Manchester City to a goalless stalemate, after drawing 1-1 with Man United. So, Rodrigo and Bielsa may have their work cut out to see Leeds take a result.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
