PATIENCE PAYS OFF FOR KLICH
Summer signing on his penalty composure as Leeds dare to dream
FOR Mateusz Klich and the current Leeds United supporting cast, the pleasure derived from Tuesday night’s gratifying Roses win at Burnley was nothing to do with delivering a blow to the pride of former Whites players Chris Wood and Charlie Taylor.
A pulsating and memorable Carabao Cup evening may have been suitably sweetened for the 2,184 visiting contingent in one half of the David Fishwick Stand at Turf Moor by the sight of Wood and Taylor trudging off as the vanquished after Leeds triumphed in a nerveless penalty shoot-out.
But, as far as Klich was concerned, that was coincidental to his wider sense of satisfaction.
In an early season when United’s exhilarating rise to the top of the second tier for the first time since some heady days under Howard Wilkinson in 1990 has understandably warranted attention and headlines, their cup progress has largely slipped under the radar by contrast.
But, in terms of the overall well-being of United’s squad, the competition is assuming plenty of importance, with head coach Thomas Christiansen likely to echo that viewpoint.
Some accomplished Championship displays from their teammates has ensured that the likes of Klich, Ronaldo Vieira, Hadi Sacko and Jay-Roy Grot have had to be content with the odd league cameo from the bench thus far.
In that respect, the Carabao Cup is proving a lifeline, although Christiansen was the first to acknowledge that he now has some ‘welcome headaches’ ahead of finalising his line-up for the weekend home game against Ipswich Town following a performance of character by several players who stepped in at Burnley.
Among that number is Klich, even though it is probable that Christiansen might just give the benefit of the doubt to several players who underperformed in a passive and dispiriting efforts at Millwall on Saturday.
What is beyond dispute is that Christiansen will utilise his squad again in the last-16 round late next month – more especially with that tie arriving in a crowded schedule which will see Leeds fit in four games in 10 days at the end of October.
For his part, Klich – whose three competitive starts have all arrived in the cup – is hoping that patience proves a virtue in his quest to make a mark at league level and fully understands the meaning of the ‘long game’.
The Polish midfielder, whose close-season acclimatisation to life at Leeds was stymied by a muscle problem, said: “I want to get minutes and games. I did not really have a pre-season, so that was my fourth game and it is getting better and better.
“I think it is going slowly, but in a good direction. There is no pressure. After two months here, everything is going good after injury. I feel better with every game.
“We talked about the game with the boss and it would have been nice to play 90 minutes and not 120. But if you have to play 120, you play.
“I was tired, of course – but everyone was. I felt good and it was a good atmosphere on the pitch and in the stadium and, hopefully, I will get my chance more often.”
On whether he will be disappointed if he reverts to the bench on Saturday, Klich is phlegmatic.
He added: “I hope I will play, but it is a tough decision for our coach as we not only have 11, 12 or 13 players, but 20 who want to play. It is good for the team.
“Probably, I will not play on Saturday. But I hope everyone who does manages to do good and that we are going to win as we lost the last game. Now we have to win and focus on the league.”
Klich’s emphasis on the team collective is admirable and speaks volumes about the togetherness that has already been fostered by Christiansen at Leeds.
That spirit and esprit de corps shone through at Turf Moor on a night when United hung in against thorny and experienced opponents and rediscovered the collective team identity that Christiansen felt his side had lost at Millwall three days earlier.
Klich, who successfully converted one of United’s five penalties, said: “I think it was a very good reaction (to Saturday). Everyone could see that we are a really good team and hard to beat.
“Even a Premier League side could not win against us, so that is really important and good for the future.”
Gloss on a positive night for Klich was provided by his coolly-taken penalty in a shoot-out when Leeds did not blink.
The 27-year-old showcased his proficiency for spot-kicks which saw him be a regular taker in his time with FC Twente and while his style looks decidedly casual, it clearly seems to works for him.
If the chance arises again in the future, he will show no hesitation in stepping forward.
Klich added: “Last season, I scored six like this and it is the way I shoot through penalties.
“I wanted to take one in the game, but, of course, Pablo (Hernandez) has been here longer, so I have to respect all the players and it is no problem.
“But if I can take penalties, I will take penalties.”
I want to get minutes and games. I did not really have a pre-season. Mateusz Klich on the comeback trail with Leeds United.