Jesse Marsch put on a brave face as he sat down in front of the press following Leeds United’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The head coach was fresh from a dejected dressing room having taken the brunt of the fans’ anger after the game and he knew the line of questioning was hardly going to be favourable.
He chose to take the blame for the jaded and disjointed performance in what was a game Leeds needed to win against a relegation rival. He then spoke about those calling for his head, insisting he understood the frustration before rather defiantly talking about the belief within the club that things will get better.
The Whites don’t have a long turnaround, in fact, they’ll be in action again in just two days when they travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, but improvements simply must be made in attacking areas if the American is to ease some the considerable pressure building around him. Marsch has been given the tools to do the job, a January spending spree has seen to that, but he couldn’t find a way to make it work on the banks of the Trent.
Read more: Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United's defeat, pressure, fan anger and his job
To their credit, Leeds did create openings in the first half of the contest with Forest debutant Keylor Navas being kept busy. Luis Sinisterra spurned a golden opportunity, while Wilfried Gnonto, Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling all failed to make the most of the chances that fell their way.
As such, although they were behind Leeds had a reason to believe as they went in at the break. What followed in the second half, though, made for a tough watch.
Marsch’s side visibly ran out of ideas as they struggled to break down a Forest team that was happy to sit deep, hold their line and frustrate United. Leeds huffed, puffed and controlled possession but they never came close to scoring in front of yet another sold out away allocation.
Changes were made as Marsch looked to his bench, hoping that one his substitutes would hold the key to unlock the Reds' backline. However forward-thinking duo Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter drew a blank, while new signing Weston McKennie could do little to change the flow of the contest from a deeper position.
The Forest backline reigned supreme at the City Ground and Leeds could do absolutely nothing to change that fact as they lacked the composure and know-how to open them up. It wasn’t the first time Leeds had failed to breakdown a low block, either, with Leeds struggling creatively against Brentford at Elland Road a fortnight previous.
“I think with our desire to try to get back in the match, we lost a little bit of our discipline and then we didn't have the effect that we wanted to have in the second half,” Marsch admitted. “The guys off the bench, I don't think we're able to bring enough into the match.
“I want to just say that I take full responsibility. I have to find a way to turn good performances more into winning because that's exactly where we are and where we've been for a little while. That's the last step for the potential of what we need to build here.”
Asked what he was asking of his side while Forest were looking comfortable, he added: “We would have wanted more rotations and more dynamic movement to get behind their backline instead of so many little combinations and so many guys trying to catch the ball in front.”
Marsch has options at his disposal. As the transfer window closed on Tuesday night, it was clear the club had done all they could to give him that luxury and in attacking areas he has an embarrassment of riches. He has to find a way of getting the best out of his expensively assembled attacking roster in the coming weeks, though, particularly with Rodrigo set to miss the next eight games through injury.
Changes should and probably will be made on Wednesday night at Old Trafford, but what system he goes with and who comes into the line-up remains to be seen. Marsch knows that it’s down to him to make it work and, ultimately, the buck stops with him if it doesn’t.
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