Setting a tone is important. Jesse Marsch has tried to set the right tone throughout his near 12 months in charge, even if results haven’t always followed his proclamations.
Leeds United’s boardroom set the right tone last month with the acquisition of three bona fide first-team starters and, however late minds may have changed, the retention of Jack Harrison. The players now need to set a tone this weekend ahead of a critical month for Marsch.
Not because he could be sacked at the end of it. The length and breadth of backing for the head coach from the boardroom, in the manner of tailored playing and coaching additions, would suggest even a catastrophic few weeks would not see him ousted.
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No, it’s not a fatal month for Marsch, but after two wins from 16 league games, the tide has to turn now. There’s no more waiting or talking about projects, development and character, results are needed from this set of fixtures.
Nottingham Forest allows them to set the right tone. The foundations are there for a very promising month. Whether it’s the off-field recruitment or slowly improving results and performances since New Year’s Eve, it’s not like fans are expecting a sinking ship to suddenly win the Vendee Globe.
There is enough forward momentum from the past five weeks to believe wins over Forest, Everton and Southampton are more than achievable. Recent history does not suggest the Manchester United double-header is likely to yield too much, but a surprise in either of those games is the kind of rocket fuel to light up the rest of the month.
Set the wrong tone on Sunday and the hard-earned goodwill of January is swiftly lost under the weight of eyes at Old Trafford. Steve Cooper’s side is rejuvenated in the league with an unbeaten four-match run, but if away points are not targeted at the City Ground, where do they come from?
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