MARSCH TOGETHER U p , up & AWAY!
KALVIN
PHILLIPS will stay at
Leeds next season – but not if the club loses its survival fight.
The future of the Elland Road outfit’s main asset is a hot topic, with Jesse Marsch’s side set for the latest instalment of its battle to avoid the drop at The Emirates today. And former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford believes Phillips will continue his love affair with the club if they stay up. He said: “I can’t see a reason for him to leave just yet. He’s in the national team, he’s playing in the Premier League for a team he loves and for a team where he’s loved.
“Let’s be fair, this is only his second season at this level and he hasn’t finished a full campaign through injury. If the club can stay up, there could be exciting times ahead.”
JESSE MARSCH insists he is not planning for the possibility of Leeds going down this season.
The Yorkshire club are just one place and two points above the Premier Leag ue drop zone ahead o f today’s visit to Champions
League-chasing Arsenal. But having played a game more than 18th-placed Everton, they are not in charge of their own destiny.
However, Marsch is not yet drawing up plans for the worstcase scenario – and is focused on making sure it does not come to pass. He said: “I’m not planning for anything other than the next match and staying in this league.
“There is a singular focus on the job in hand and that is exactly the discipline we must have right now.’
“We know it’s going to take all our energy to achieve our goal.”
The American, who succeeded Marcelo Bielsa in February, also revealed he has given up on sleep as he plots a route to safety.
Asked if he has been able to shut out his work at night, he replied: “I’m trying, I’m trying.
“I watch a lot of video and try to make sure we analyse opponents and that I’m very clear with what I want the game to look like.
“My wife has probably seen my face buried in the computer too much but that’s what it takes now.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to help our guys, but I’m really happy to be here. This has been a real pleasure, despite the situation!”
With Burnley also involved in what is likely to be a three-way
scrap to beat the drop, Marsch is sure the final relegation spot will be decided on the final day.
He added: “Eight games ago, I expected it to go to the final day.
“The league is so competitive, and tight, it was hard to imagine a situation where it wasn’t going to come down to the wire .
“But it’s just about the work – and the thing I appreciate again after the Man City game is that I think the fans recognise it was not a four-nil match.
“Even though we knew that, with other results it was a situation none of us wanted to be in, the reality is we have to be positive and push forward together.
“I want the fans to feel they are part of our club and our team – and that they are right next to us along the way.”