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Beren Cross

Jesse Marsch faces key Leeds United opportunity to mould the Elland Road agenda in his direction

First impression

Jesse Marsch has already been recorded speaking as Leeds United head coach on camera and one-to-one at Elland Road, but this is his first press conference.

The American will be faced with the Leeds press pack as well as local radio, television and some national titles.

He will want to make a good first impression, speak with authority and ensure his message gets across as he faces the sometimes unpredictable lines of questioning coming out of the wider media.

Injuries

Aside from the wider topics on him, his past, his philosophy and his vision, there will be the brass tax around the team news for Saturday.

There were sometimes mixed signals coming out of Thorp Arch on how close injured players were to returning, so refreshed dates on Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford will be expected.

Part of Thursday’s training session will be open to the press, so if any of the injured players are getting closer, they will be seen out on the grass.

Summer policy

Naturally, questions will orientate towards one of the topics which gets most fans excited and that’s transfers.

We are yet to hear anything on Marsch’s preferred squad size, preferred player ages to work with and how he likes to work alongside a director of football.

Assuming the final 12 matches of the season go to plan, attention will swiftly turn to what the club does in the summer window with Marsch at the helm.

Shape

Marsch is regarded as an astute tactician on the continent with a penchant for high pressing and hunting in packs for the ball if lost.

It will be important to finally establish what formation he sees this inherited squad fitting into, especially with some analysis suggesting wingers are not generally used in his systems.

Youth

Marcelo Bielsa quickly brought senior and under-23 units close together at Thorp Arch in one big training group which paved the way for youngsters to drop into the first team at will.

How Marsch looks to change that or enhance it will be raised, as well as how he feels about using young players, or when they should and should not be relied upon.

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