Joe Gelhardt blown away by Jesse Marsch at Leeds United, shares teammates’ view
Joe Gelhardt is in awe of the ability of his Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch since the American arrived at the club and changed the tactics.
The former Red Bull Salzburg boss replaced Marcelo Bielsa at the end of February and has overseen an improvement in results, with the Whites currently on a three match unbeaten streak and looking clear of relegation danger.
Gelhardt struggled for game time under the Argentine but seems to be set for greater involvement now, although he did not start the draw with Southampton as had been expected.
The young striker told The Mirror: “It’s been great. He’s a great manager. His tactics and the way he comes across with his ideas, you can be sat there and just think ‘wow!’, especially when you then go out on the training pitch and put it all together.
“We were man for man before, so the change was hard at first, but we did sessions and drills based on trying to get out of that and learn his play. It’s been great since he’s come in and all the lads are on board with his ideas.”
Big things expected
It was Joffy’s dramatic injury time winner against Norwich which kickstarted the revival under Marsch.
A back injury has hampered his involvement since but with Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts absent, fans want to see plenty more of the 19-year-old.
The man marking system that Bielsa preferred was a hallmark of the transformation of the club.
But with heavy losses mounting it appeared the system had been figured out by opponents and was asking too much of a depleted squad.
It was a concern whether the players who had been so drilled into the previous system would be able to pick up a new one on the fly during a crucial run-in.
But two wins and a draw in the past three matches suggest the change has taken affect, and a few more points should ensure Premier League survival.
In other Leeds United news, Gary Lineker was laughed at by the Match of the Day pundits for his view on a controversial late decision in the Southampton draw.