Liam Thomas

Sat 25 February 2023 11:40, UK

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has shared what he’s heard about new Leeds United boss Javi Gracia, claiming his former players are very positive about the coach.

Gracia will take charge of his first Leeds United game against Southampton this afternoon (25 February) and will be hoping to hit the ground running.

Prutton also confessed that from what he’s seen there hasn’t been much bad blood at all from fans of clubs Gracia has managed in the past.

“I’m not saying you have got to be a good guy or well-liked to be successful but from what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen, there are not many former players of his or fans that have seen his teams play that have come out and said bad things,” said Prutton as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post. (25 February)

“It sounds like there’s a lot of positivity about it.”

Positive appointment.

Gracia feels like a step in the right direction for Leeds United and although it’s not the exciting name fans craved, he’s better than a host of names that were being linked with the vacant role.

Premier League experience is a vital asset to have in a relegation dogfight and the Whites have fallen on their feet with Gracia possessing that very thing.

Today’s clash against Southampton could prove to be a pivotal swing in the momentum of the campaign and one which the Whites could profit from massively.

Getting out of the relegation zone and staying in a comfortable position has to be the priority for Gracia, no one wants a repeat of the anxious hours that took place last year on the final day.

On paper, Leeds United are a lot better than the teams in and around them at the moment and it’s Gracia’s job to now grasp that energy and in turn produce positive results.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared news of one Jesse Marsch ally who was absent from the club’s announcement about the coaching staff.

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