Opportunities for mid-season managerial appointments to put in the hard, uninterrupted yards with players are hard to come by. Premier League campaigns are relentless conveyor belts of the best footballers in the world looking to expose and ridicule rescue acts before coaches have even had the chance to establish which is every player’s preferred foot.
Javi Gracia had the pleasure of three matches in eight days when he first landed at Leeds United. Thankfully he has one of those rare openings coming up. The final international break of the season will give him and his staff a clear fortnight between their Molineux and Emirates Stadium trips to work the players.
Amid a forest of fixtures, it is the one clearing, the one breather Gracia will have to make this his team and prove why he has the acumen to keep Leeds in the division. It really throws down the gauntlet on tomorrow’s trip too.
READ MORE: Archie Gray signs first Leeds United professional deal as family dynasty continues
Beating a Wolverhampton Wanderers side just four points clear on the back of one win in five was already an important and achievable aim, but what comes on the other side of it makes it all the more tantalising. A psychologist would be better qualified to go into the science behind it, but it’s not hard to see why Gracia will get more out of the players across the next fortnight if they go home on the back of a victory.
“It’s always good to get a win, but in this case even more,” said Gracia. “After winning one game you have more time to work with the players you have because some of them are going with the national teams.
“It’s a good time to do work and to do it with the good atmosphere you need to remain (retain) the attitude and the spirit of the players. It will be very good for us to get a good result because it will be good to work with the players [in these] next weeks.”
Helpfully, Leeds have very recent experience of taking a win from Molineux into an international break. Exactly one year ago tomorrow the Whites came away from their miracle win in the West Midlands before parting ways for their countries.
Other results would need to go United’s way, but it’s not hard to see a win taking them out of the bottom three this weekend. The cumulative impact of seeing the Whites out of the danger zone for the next fortnight cannot be overstated for everyone of a Leeds persuasion.
The international break will be like a mini pre-season for Gracia and the players. If he wants a crack at a proper summer pre-season with Leeds, you sense he will need to get this one right if they are to survive the drop.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United supporters hail Archie Gray as 'future of club' as he signs professional contract
Animated Javi Gracia delivers Leeds United reality check amid doubts about his ambition
‘It’s quite scary’ - Leeds United star Luke Ayling opens up about living with stammer
Javi Gracia plans cautious approach over Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo after recent injuries
