Phil Hay shares Javi Gracia tactical tweak shunned by Marsch in Leeds United 1-0 win v Southampton
Leeds United secured a 1-0 win against Southampton in Javi Gracia’s first game in charge at Elland Road on Saturday (25 February) in the Premier League.
Phil Hay, writing for The Athletic, shares that tactically Gracia embraced the width, something the previous manager Jesse Marsch tended to shun.
The new manager urged the likes of Jack Harrison and Willy Gnonto to hug the touchlines in possession. It wasn’t a spectacular performance, but the shape was tight throughout the game.
Will it work?
It was an important victory against bottom-placed Southampton, and it’s hard to comment on the tactical changes based on one game.
The use of width could be crucial in how Gracia wants his side to play. Both Harrison and Gnonto are skillful players, and they possess the pace to cover a lot of distance as well.
Wingers occupying the touchline also allows the full-backs to get more involved in the game, and exactly that happened against Southampton as Junior Firpo scored the winner.
It was also good to see how solid Leeds were against the Saints. Of course, the visiting team hardly provided any threat, but it could be down to the tight structure the Whites maintained throughout the match.
However, one thing Gracia needs to address, and that too quickly. Leeds, while attacking, tend to do stuff at a fast pace. In doing so, they often fail to pick up the right pass or make the right decision.
Micah Richards also pointed out while describing Weston McKennie’s performance on BBC Match of the Day (25 February) that the Whites need to slow it down a bit and take an extra touch if required to pick the right pass.
If they can improve in this area, the goals are bound to come.
In other Leeds United news, check out our player ratings from the win over Southampton.
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