Joe Gelhardt frustrated by Leeds United delay after crucial victory
The Leeds United squad have been left frustrated by the gap in the fixture list, having secured a big win at Watford, according to Joe Gelhardt.
After winning 3-0 at Vicarage Road last weekend (9 April) they are currently in the middle of a lay-off of more than two weeks before they travel to Crystal Palace (25 April), with their game against Chelsea moved due to the Blues’ FA Cup semi-final commitments.
The Whites are on a four-game unbeaten run under Jesse Marsch, which includes three wins, but the teenage striker feels the momentum coming off the last victory would be best served with a quick sequence of games.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I think it was just a massive confidence boost [against Watford].
“It was an important three points as well but I think now we are thinking it’s a bit annoying that we have got a bit of a break.
“We just want the games to come thick and fast because we are in that run of form.
“But I think we will take all the momentum from that game into Palace and hopefully get points there.
“Then we have got a few tough games but I think we all think that we can get a few points.”
Double frustration
It is typical that one of the four teams left in the FA Cup would have been United’s next opponent.
But they have shown that they can bridge a gap once already during this upturn in form.
The pair of dramatic wins that lifted them out of the relegation panic, against Norwich and Wolves, were quickly followed by the international break.
Four points since they returned to club action, which easily could have been six had they been awarded a late penalty against Southampton, suggests it is more than just momentum behind them.
Joffy is surely more frustrated than most, having seen his opportunities limited recently by a back issue and an infuriatingly timed Covid-19 false positive.
Having seen Sam Greenwood do well, the 19-year-old will surely be itching to get back on the field as he looks to belated build off his Norwich winner.
In other Leeds United news, a chance to get some valuable minutes was missed for Gelhardt and a pair of other first-team youngsters on Friday.