Sulking, frustration and unhappiness with missing out on Leeds United pitch time is not the end of the world for Jesse Marsch, who knows those emotions are impossible to avoid. In an 11-man team and 20-man squad, the head coach fully accepts he cannot keep everyone happy.
Joe Gelhardt was the headline victim of United’s improved injury situation on Sunday. From the highs of starting against Brentford in the last match, the 20-year-old was left watching from the stands with an EFL Trophy tie to prepare for.
This is what Premier League squads are, and need to be. For too long, the Whites have been beset by injury issues which have forced teenagers onto the first-team bench, but finally, there was some real strength to Marsch’s options at the weekend.
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Sam Greenwood has had just 31 minutes of pitch time in the league. Adam Forshaw’s been restricted to 50 minutes, Crysencio Summerville 51 and Mateusz Klich 144 from a possible 630. These are the plates Marsch has to spin, but he’s had a clear message for everyone feeling left out.
“It's not so important everyone is totally happy because I know, players when they don't play, they want to always be on the pitch and we want that,” he said. “However, what we want everyone to know is the responsibility of being committed to the group is what can make us special and different.
“We have to have a very high standard for that and we do here. Very lucky with the young men we have in this squad and in this building and certainly ready to perform when called upon.
“When the matches come quickly you can have injuries, you need rotation at times, you need players off the bench to have big performances. Where we are and who we are right now, we can't take anything for granted, that's for sure.”
Luis Sinisterra’s suspension already frees up one new slot this weekend, while keeping 11 players on the field at Selhurst Park may mean Marsch can exploit different attacking options like a Greenwood or Wilfried Gnonto.
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