Victor Orta has told Spanish media that Javi Gracia has brought with him a sense of calm to Leeds United with the Spaniard starting well in his first fourLeague games – securing seven points from a possible 12, including two wins.
Leeds missed out on a number of managers including Arne Slot, Andoni Iraola and Carlos Corberan before bringing in Gracia. We needed a balance between all-out attack and a bit of defensive organisation and Gracia has done that.
Emphasis is now more on controlling football matches, with more defensive organisation. Robin Koch is in his best form since joining Leeds, as is Junior Firpo and maybe, even Luke Ayling. In-form defenders has been rare at Leeds.
But Gracia has got his side playing smart, instead of running around like headless chickens trying to score goal after goal. It might not be as exciting, but it is needed. Orta gave his honest verdict on Gracia and the work he has done.
“In that moment of crisis, we chose very well with the arrival of Javi Gracia, who has brought peace of mind to the team and has scored many points in his first four games, transmitting identity to us that was something we needed.”
Orta says Gracia has brought calm to Leeds with Spaniard starting well
Orta might claim that Leeds chose well with Gracia but he, and Leeds fans know, that the ex-Watford and Valencia boss was hardly his first choice. Gracia arrived after a change of tact from Orta and the Leeds board, after rejection.
They realised that in-work managers were never going to chance their arm at Leeds in a bid to keep them in the top tier. They had to go after the out-of-work list of managers and even then, it was going to be a tricky appointment.
But Gracia is getting the best out of his players and using a system that is both hard to break down, but still scoring goals. Next up is a trip to Arsenal with a number of key players missing, but then, Forest and Palace. Crucial period.
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