Darren Lewis: Leeds United season opener was a good response to negativity aimed at Elland Road
Darren Lewis believes negativity aimed at Leeds United and Jesse Marsch could be dispelled after their victory against Wolves in their first Premier League game of the season.
There have been plenty of questions surrounding Leeds’ summer business, with a number of Jesse Marsch’s new recruits unproven in England’s top flight.
However, The Mirror journalist believes the American has earned some praise after the Whites’ performance against Bruno Lage’s side.
He said on talkSPORT’s GameDay Podcast (49:00, 8 August): “It was a good response to going a goal down but also to the negativity that surrounded the squad after Kalvin Phillps and Raphinha’s departures.
“Lots of people had predicted that they would have a difficult season so they needed to make a statement.
“They showed a willingness and a fight for Jesse Marsch.
“I am pleased for Marsch because lots of people expected him to fail.
“He’s shown he’s a good leader of men.”
Great start
This is an excellent start for Marsch and certainly answers plenty of questions over American coaches in the Premier League.
It’s actually quite hard to understand how Leeds have come under fire from certain pundits before the season has even kicked off.
The departures of Phillips and Raphinha are clearly big losses for Leeds, but ultimately there has been some good summer business at Elland Road that fits Marsch’s style of play far better.
Brenden Aaronson has been a shining light in preseason and against Wolves, he is clearly a player that is in the mould of how the American wants his side to play.
Marsch has come in, kept Leeds up and built a side that should be a good cohesive united that plays in a very distinctive style.
There is a very good chance that the American will prove more than a few people wrong in the coming months.
In other Leeds United news, it’s been confirmed that this player has agreed to quit Elland Road.