Jesse Marsch has told Sky Sports that he senses the ‘fear of losing’ at Leeds United is now starting to dissipate, but welcomes his squad embracing their concerns if it returns wins.
The Elland Road outfit will chase a second victory under the American when they travel to Wolves on Friday night. Leeds took their first points under Marsch last time out by beating Norwich City, with Joe Gelhardt restoring a one-goal advantage deep into stoppage-time.
Kenny McLean looked set to disappoint the Whites after he scored an equaliser in the first minute of additional time. United had led from the 14th-minute when Rodrigo struck the first goal of the Marsch era in West Yorkshire, having lost to Leicester City and Aston Villa.
The Foxes and Villans results left Leeds 16th in the Premier League standings with five wins in 28 games. The relegation zone also sat just two points away, yet United can move seven clear with a win at Molineux. But Leeds have only won back-to-back games once this term.
Jesse Marsch senses ‘fear of losing’ is starting to dissipate at Leeds
Beating relegation rivals Norwich, and possibly Wolves, could be crucial to Marsch securing Leeds another season in the Premier League. The Whites welcomed the Canaries to Elland Road without a point in six games and had lost seven of their prior eight top-flight fixtures.
But beating Dean Smith’s side has helped the Whites to shake off some of the doubts that were entering their minds, Marsch feels. Although fearing losing can also be a useful tool.
“I think we’re still going to have to deal with stress,” Marsch explained. “But I believe the performance against Norwich showed that the players freed themselves a little bit from some of the fear of losing.
“That’s what I said to them: ‘If that’s our biggest fear, losing, then the best way to ensure it is to play afraid’. So, it’s been about trying to get them to use their qualities as young men and their courage.”
Wolves should pose a challenge for Leeds on Friday night as they continue their bid for a European qualifying spot. Bruno Lage’s eight-place side have won their last two games and steamrolled Watford 4-0 in their last home top-flight fixture before edging Everton away.
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