Javi Gracia has told reporters on Monday afternoon – as per his press conference – that he is still only getting two or three hours sleep every night as the Leeds United manager tries to haul his side away from the threat of relegation.
Gracia has watched his side lose four out of their last five games since the Premier League returned after the break for international fixtures. A whopping 18 goals conceded in that time, scoring just five times. We remain 16th place.
But, we are starting to look over our shoulder and the optimism is gone. Leeds shipped four against Arsenal, five at home to Palace and then six against Arsenal. The players look beleaguered, lacking in any confidence or fight.
Next up is our most-important fixture of the season so far. An enormous clash against fellow strugglers Leicester City, who come into the game having ended a 10-match run without a win – beating Wolves at home on Saturday.
Gracia has spoken before about his lack of sleep and he was asked if he is still only getting two or three hours every night. He responded by saying: “Yeah, I am sleeping the same. Not too much. But I have time. In June I sleep.”
Leeds manager Gracia admits he is only sleeping 2 or 3 hours at night
Things look ominous, even against Leicester. The Foxes come into the game with confidence renewed and interim Leicester boss Smith says he expects his big guns to play – Jamie Vardy, Harvey Barnes and James Maddison.
But Leeds have home advantage and Leicester’s away record is woeful of late. Four points from a possible 24 in their last eight League games, scoring only eight goals. They have lost their last two to Man City and Palace.
Crumbs of comfort for Leeds but having lost 5-1 to Palace and 6-1 to Liverpool in our last two home games, it is not as if we have a better record going into the game. Form may go out of the window, though, given the importance.
