“It's been emotional”, in the words of the one and only Vinnie Jones. We all know how much Bielsa did for our great club and how much he'll remain a part of our folklore.
But the future begins today. Jesse Marsch, 48 year old American former manager of RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and MLS clubs joins as our new manager.
I believe from the pundits he's a believer in a high energy, high press, attacking game which will wean us away from Bielsaball without reinventing us. We must hope a new voice galvanises the players and that a little bit more defensive balance will see us out of our current predicament.
This feels like the start of the 49ers regime and the twilight of Radz tenure, it would mean more money for the squad if they do exercise their option to buy, but equally we are now a conventional club trying to prosper in the PL, just like everyone else.
Sadness and optimism live together in me this week. Leicester City away is live on BT sport - what will the "new Leeds" look like? We'll soon see.
Very true, It's the end of an era no doubt.
Whoever was lucky enough to be at E.R. For M.B first game against Stoke, will never forget the feeling that, after many years of sh-te, we had a man who had something special.
p.s I believe we have the players to give most teams a good game. Bring it
on I say.
welcome to LUFC Mr. Marsch.
I just watched his LUTV & Sky sports interviews.He seems very well spoken and down to earth.He had good things to say about Marcelo and said he admired MB.
He said of his playing style its similar to MB with high press,high energy but he doesn't go man to man when defending,he prefers zonal or ball orientated defending.
he gets bonus points for not saying soccer in either interview!
good luck to him & hopefully he can hit the ground running and keep us in the PL.
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Well like most Americans, a very polished act in front of the camera's. Certainly talks a good game, we'll see if it translates to the pitch against Leicester (given the short space of time, I'm not expecting miracles against the Foxes, but maybe some structured defending).
Some of the video's of Marsch meeting the players were a little awkward to say the least, but I guess it's a major PR job now to try and get everyone onboard and pushing in the right direction.
I'm not going to lie, it was a refreshing change to have no translators involved in the interviews and hearing the words straight from the horses mouth!
I concur and welcome Mr. Marsch all any of us LUFC fans is honesty in effort and the willingness to try and win the game.
Like you Glory we cant nor should we judge our new manager on Wednesday's game against leicester, if we can see some patterns, different approach to defending corners that would be a start but even this will take time for the players to adjust. Sadly the next international break isn't for another fortnight but that's 4 more games going to be ticked off the list by the time Marsch's stamp on the team should be a little more evident.
We need points, BADLY, and we certainly need all 3 against Norwich to get them well and truly relegated and fill 20th in the league table first and foremost however what about the other 3 games Leicester, Villa & Wolves? is 2 more points from those games a realistic target? it dosent sound unreasonable and if it were last season id be looking 5-6 pts from the same 3 teams, but we cant look back we MUST MOVE FORWARD.
If we manage 5 points from the next 12 it would be a decent start for Marcsh in my opinion and may instill some confidence back into the team which must be pretty low right now with all that's been going on in the LUFC dressing room since Christmas. Brentford our best target to overtake in my mind only have 3 games before the international break and while we have no control over the result in anyone else's games they play both Norwich & Burnley so something has to give in those fixtures. If Brentford win both they will be upto 30 points if we only manage 5 points from our 12 we go into the international break 2 points behind Brentford with the same number of games played, pressure will certainly be on Marcsh and the players then.
But if we can get back to picking up points and Kalvin, Bamford & Cooper get back onto the pitch i firmly believe we can survive, but Marsch Honeymoon could be very short lived if we continue to draw blanks, regardless of performances.
Beilsa has laid a deep foundation and the the surrounding of the structure has been put up. We just need the fittings and furnishings to be installec and by this I mean when we change the defending to a decent zone system which everybody u understands and implements we will start winning again.
Looking forwardto see midfielders actually holdinb their positions in the middle of the park. Also really can not wait to see 2 up front. For me it is a Rodrigo & Roberts together starting and to change things up Geldthart & Greenwood together as their replacements.
Struijk (LCD) & Koch(RCD) has the starting Central Defenders and Cresswell (RCD) & Hjelde (LCD) as the back ups. On a side note. Dropping Ayling would be a start. Dallas and Dremah are better option on form this season.
Got to see Shackleton in the central midfield role with Phillips (when fit).
We plug the massive hole in ghe centre of the park and stop playing back i to pressure and we will be winning again.
Thiz move was supposed to happen this summer but now it has happen early.
For me it is a Rodrigo & Roberts together starting and to change things up Geldthart & Greenwood together as their replacements.
For me Dan2, Tyler has had more than enough opportunities to show what he can offer, so i wouldn't be handing him a starting Jersey at all.
As for Rodders i think he is on thin ice also but we must take into account alot of his cameos were him playing out of his natural position so id cut the lad a bit of slack there but not much if i'm honest we must be told his performances MUST improve otherwise he too will be asked to take a seat on the bench.
No more Mr. nice guy treatment for these two in particular step up or ship out.
I think Joffy has earned the right to start in the absence of Bamford and Tyler's horrific performances, Start Joffy for these next 4 games and see how things go, i agree that 2 up front will help him as he is still very young and learning his trade. Put James back on the wing (his natural position) and Rapha on the other side and see how that formation works..
In defence
Struijk and cresswell as CB but instead of dropping Luke Ayling again id put him back to his natural position of wing back as whenever both himself and Rapha played together it worked very well and id go back to that again if im honest.
Find a spot for Dallas but isnt Dremah gone to Cardiff so he wont be an option at all.
I too like Shacks and i too would like to see him in midfield along with Forshaw, lets hope the lads have stepped upto the mark this week at training and have made selecting Marsch's first teamsheet a difficult one.
Time will tell but for me if we can get something from the game on Saturday it stops the losing streak and its something to take to Villians game where again we will find it difficult.
On the plus side with Burnley losing last night that should give us a boost now and hopefully Leicester will a bit tired on Saturday so that we can snatch something towards the end of the game as they tire.