Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has revealed that he asked Joe Gelhardt to be 'aggressive' after he scored the winner in the dramatic 2-1 victory over Norwich City on Sunday. The 19-year-old came on as a late substitute and witnessed his side concede an injury-time leveller as Kenny McLean slotted home from close-range.
However, Leeds kept pushing and snatched all three points as Raphinha rounded the goalkeeper and his cross was bunded home by Gelhardt to spark delirium at Elland Road. The result sealed the Whites' first win since January and a vital success in their pursuit of staying in the Premier League. They currently sit in 16th and are now four points ahead of the bottom three.
When asked about what that moment will do for Gelhardt, he said: "I mean, I don't think Joffy will ever forget that moment, either. He's a brave young man. He's got quality. And so I'm going to invest in all these young men and try to help them understand within the framework of the system that we're creating here.
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"How they can get better and grow and continue to reward themselves and each other. So yeah, really happy for Joffy and obviously in a tough moment for the club and for the team he comes on and make a big play."
With Leeds dominating proceedings, Norwich's equaliser came against the run of play and almost shocked everyone inside Elland Road. But Gelhardt's impact in the build-up to the winning goal also shouldn't be underestimated. A long ball was flicked on by the teenager, who showed great determined to win first contact, before getting himself into the box to score his second league goal of the campaign.
Marsch asked Gelhardt to do a specific role to come on and wanted him to occupy the No.10 position. He added: "Yeah, I asked him to play in the 10. And to be aggressive to join in as a second striker when when we had chances to help pick up second balls. And so he asked about set pieces, I said, 'don't worry about that right now.
"Just get in the game.' And then at one defensive corner kick he looked over at me and I just yelled at him to get into the box. And so wasn't the time to talk over every detail, but certainly, yeah, it was a big moment. Big moment for him and for us."
