Micah Richards was delighted by what he saw from Leeds United captain Liam Cooper v Southampton
The return of Leeds United captain Liam Cooper made a big difference in the organisation of the team according to Micah Richards.
The Whites skipper had been out since November with injury before his return to the line-up at Elland Road yesterday (2 April), and his absence saw massive turmoil at the club make relegation a real threat and Marcelo Bielsa removed as manager.
Defensively the team was too often calamitous without him, and frequently losses became thrashings during the slump that brought about the managerial change, but Richard’s didn’t see any of that in the 1-1 draw with Southampton.
Speaking on Match of the Day after the game the former England defender said: “In the first half Leeds were really good. They pressed high, they had the old stuff from Bielsa.
“But what I liked about Leeds the most was Cooper was back today, and normally when they draw in the game they sort of capitulate.
“They didn’t do that today. They were a lot better in organisation and it took something special from [James] Ward-Prowse to get the equaliser.”
Finally
How the struggling United side could have done with their leader at the back during the dark winter months.
So often one goal conceded became three, four or five, as the players seemed to admit defeat once being breached.
Arguably though the influence of Jesse Marsch has been greater in turning that around.
In the previous two wins they have done anything but capitulate when the opponent’s scored.
Against Norwich they responded immediately to being pegged back to score a winner through Joe Gelhardt, and they came back from 2-0 down to win at Wolves.
Regardless, it can only be a positive to see the captain back out there, coming through 90 minutes unscathed, and the successful return of Kalvin Phillips from the bench was also very encouraging.
After the travails Patrick Bamford has been through, a decent result which could have been better if a late penalty had been awarded, and two big characters returning, can be seen as a good day at the office.
In other Leeds United news, Gary Lineker was mocked for arguing the Whites were unjustly denied by a controversial refereeing decision.