Graham Smyth shares Javi Gracia ‘in the flesh’ Leeds United news

Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has shared that new Leeds United boss Javi Gracia has had a “proper up-close look” at the squad this week.

Gracia will take charge of Leeds United in his first Premier League clash against Southampton on 25 February in a must-win clash.

Smyth confessed that Gracia’s “in the flesh” observations have been more than enough to suggest that he and the players are all on the same page.

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“This week, while waiting for his visa to be granted by the FA and Home Office, Gracia has had a proper up-close look at Leeds, in the flesh, and evidently seen and said enough to believe that they’re all on the same page for the Southampton game,” said Smyth as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post. (24 February)

“There are prepared, there is a plan and the players know what to do.”

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Quietly confident.

Gracia seems to be quietly confident that he’ll be able to pull Leeds United out of this messy relegation scrap and this is the exact kind of aura the squad needs right now.

A loss against Southampton could scupper this completely, especially with the game being played in front of an anxious and potentially angry Elland Road crowd.

Nevertheless, on the other side of that, a win in front of the West Yorkshire faithful could be the exact remedy to get this season kick-started.

The squad, talent and players are there for all to see, it’s just about Gracia harnessing this young and vibrant energy to capture points and results.

Fixing the leaky defence has to be on the new manager’s priority list, as does Leeds’ lacklustre-looking attack as of late.

It’s a big job and by no means will it be plain sailing for Gracia, but the chance at Premier League redemption and a shot at becoming the saviour of Leeds United this season is up for grabs.

In other Leeds United news, the club are now leading the race to sign an in-demand young attacking talent from a European giant.

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