WE MUST BE LEEDS UNITED
Jesse: Fans can power Great Escape
BY
JESSE MARSCH believes fan power can help Leeds pull off a Great Escape today, but has warned travelling supporters not to lose their heads if things go wrong.
Marsch’s men head to Brentford needing to better Burnley’s result at home to Newcastle in order to climb above the Clarets and save themselves from relegation.
The odds are stacked against the Yorkshire side and there are fears the mood could turn ugly if they slide into the Championship.
With a huge army of Leeds fans set to descend on the capital – and hated rivals Manchester United and Everton also playing in London today – hundreds of extra Metropolitan Police officers have been drafted in.
After the shameful scenes witnessed this week when fans invaded the pitch at Everton (below) – and at Nottingham Forest, leading to a sickening assault on Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp – Marsch has called for calm.
Leeds’ American manager has told supporters that his side are ready to produce the goods, but cautioned: “I know that big moments like this always stir a lot of emotion.
“I hope that the fans find a way, no matter what, to be at our side and to know we’re going to figure this out.
“We’re going to get this right at Brentford, we’re going to get it right in the future and, in whatever way, we’re going to move forward.”
Leeds fans infamously rioted at Bournemouth in May 1990 when they won promotion to the top flight.
Marsch said of the club’s following: “I know that they are fervent fans and their emotions can sometimes get the better of them in negative ways.
“But I have seen only the positive effect of our fans. I’ve tried to reiterate that it’s massively important for our players to feel that.
“There was one match where I read a letter from a fan to the players beforehand.
“I said to them that it’s special to be a player for Leeds United, that’s it’s unique in many ways.
“The letter said that the players are their heroes and I wanted to make sure that our players understood that.”
Marsch has won just three of his 11 games in charge so far, and last week’s home draw against Brighton saw fans chant the name of his predecessor Marcelo Bielsa.
But he insists the overwhelming response from Leeds supporters since his appointment has been a positive one. The 48-year-old added: “I would say in general that I’ve had such a positive experience with the fans.
“When we’ve been in the stadium, the support for the team, and the extra push that they have given us, has always been truly magical.
“But the fans have left me alone this week and I haven’t seen too many people when out walking my dog.
“Sometimes people recognise me, sometimes they don’t.
“Like I say, I haven’t had one negative experience, I’ll tell you that. I have had only positive experiences and support in the community.”
On Friday, Marsch vowed that he would be at Elland Road next season, regardless of whether or not Leeds beat the drop.
Although key men, such as Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, look certain to depart if Leeds go down, the club have a crop of talented youngsters to rebuild with.
Marsch insisted: “I don’t look at it like that right now. I’m focused on getting the result and staying in the league.
“When you talk about the young players – and what the future looks like, regardless of the league we’re in – I think there is big potential here to continue to build through the academy and investing in the right kind of players to transform the team to what I’d like it to look like.
“The commitment from everybody here to do whatever we can to grow and develop our club together has been incredible.
“I’m not just saying that – there is real unity, belief and togetherness, and that’s the best thing I think that you can have at a club.”