‘Strict’: Marc Roca on what it is like behind the scenes under Javi Gracia at Leeds

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Marc Roca has told The Athletic that life under new Leeds United manager Javi Gracia behind the scenes is a mixture between “strict and fun” – with his fellow countryman currently guiding Leeds away from the drop zone.

A 4-2 win at Wolves has seen Leeds go from 19th in the Premier League table, to a much healthier 14th place. Gracia has picked up seven points from a possible 12, while Jesse Marsch only secured 19 points from 23 games.

Gracia has kept the same attacking intensity Marsch instilled at Elland Road – but with a balance. More focus on keeping possession, controlling the game and defending in more numbers. A mix that was desperately needed.

Asked about Gracia and what life is like since the Spanish manager replaced Marsch in the Elland Road dugout – £10m Roca said it is a balance off the pitch, too. Strict, and fun. He is also focusing on being strong in both boxes.

“It’s a balance (with Gracia) of strict and fun. We’re training a lot on possession, we want to have more possession during games. We want to be stronger in the boxes as well because that is where you will get a lot of points.

“We have to finish the season off. It’s been tough but we’re ready and we’re convinced we’ll achieve what we have to. We have the confidence. We see (ourselves) in training and the team is young and hungry. We will do it.”

Roca on life under new Leeds manager Gracia behind the scenes

All the noise about Gracia is positive. He is smart, experienced and wily in his press conferences. On the pitch, Leeds look much more solid – more defensively astute, but also still just as attacking. Six goals in their last two.

It might be that Leeds, perhaps inadvertently, have stumbled upon a manager that could be the future of the club. Ian Wright thinks there is a togetherness at Leeds now. Ben Jacobs reports that the board remain undecided.

But there is a feel-good factor at Leeds, helped by securing three points going into the break. The perfect time to win. Gracia has made an excellent start and if it continues in this way, Leeds must give him the reigns permanently.