Don Hutchison has told ESPN FC that he believes Leeds United were better off sticking with Jesse Marsch as the club’s manager than bringing in current gaffer Javi Gracia – as at least under Marsch, there was an identity to Leeds.
Leeds have endured two dismal results of late, losing 5-1 and 6-1 to Crystal Palace and Liverpool. It sees Leeds sit in 16th place in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone with a tough run in ahead of them.
Next up is Fulham away. Then, Leeds take on their most-important game of the season in a home clash against Leicester City, next Tuesday. Bournemouth away, Manchester City away, Newcastle at home, West Ham and Spurs.
Gracia has 10 points from his eight league games in charge of Leeds – which includes matches against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. Hutchison was asked if Leeds are better of with Gracia, but gave an intriguing response.
“Probably,” Hutchison said, when asked if Leeds were better off with Marsch. “That’s saying something. I could see more identity even though they were a bit bonkers. Scoring goals but it was the flip of a coin which way it would go.”
Hutchison says Leeds better off sticking with Marsch than Gracia
Clearly, Hutchison has not done his homework. Leeds are much better off with Gracia than they were under Marsch. For a number of reasons, the main one being we have given ourselves a fighting chance of survival under Gracia.
Under Marsch, it was only going one way and that was down. 10 games in a row without a win, before his sacking. A stubbornness against using width. A vulnerability to counter attacks. It was mayhem, without order or organisation.
Under Gracia, there was a bit of calm – at least until around the 40-minute mark against Palace. Until then, and if Leeds had gone into the break winning that match, you would say Gracia was doing a good job. Now, pressure is on.
