Phil Hay says in his latest Athletic piece that Javi Gracia has “moved a little closer” to the way Marcelo Bielsa used to operate behind the scenes at Leeds United – in working more on analysis and technical detail than Jesse Marsch.
Gracia, 52, has got Leeds winning football games again. Before his arrival, Leeds won only four of 23 League games – 20 of which were managed by Marsch. Michael Skubala was winless in three. Since, Gracia has won three of six.
The latter of which came on Tuesday night, a superb performance to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Elland Road. A massive win that sees Leeds climb the Premier League table, from 18th to 13th. Results went our way last night.
Indeed, Leeds won – while Leicester and Bournemouth suffered defeats to Villa and Brighton. Next up for Leeds is Crystal Palace at Elland Road, another winnable fixture. Three points against the Eagles, and Leeds are almost safe.
Writing in his latest column on Wednesday morning, Hay says Gracia has returned to focus on analysis. A move that is closer to the way Bielsa worked at Elland Road – and not so much, Marsch. Clearly, it is working for our new boss.
“He altered the training week and moved a little closer to the depth of Marcelo Bielsa’s analysis sessions. His time keeping is strict and the players found out quickly that he preferred to explain decisions rather than debate them.”
Hay: Gracia has moved a little closer to the way Bielsa worked at Leeds
Whatever Gracia is doing, it is working. To have won 10 points from six games, when before it was only 19 from 23 games is quite remarkable. Leeds are controlling games, sturdy, but still just as effective in the final third.
Players are coming back from injury, too. Luis Sinisterra starred on Tuesday night and Willy Gnonto was involved. Should Gracia get the job beyond the end of the season? Well, that remains up for debate. But it is looking good.
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