MOT Leeds News speaking to Paul Robinson

Tue 11 April 2023 11:10, UK

We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…

Paul Robinson believes Leeds United’s 5-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace will have a “massive” impact on Javi Gracia’s future at Elland Road.

The Whites were dismantled by a rampant Palace side, who scored four unanswered second-half goals to plunge Leeds firmly back into the relegation conversation.

Robinson believes the defeat is a “pivotal” moment in the season and will have a significant impact on how Leeds fair between now and the end of the campaign.

“It will have an impact [on Gracia’s future] in one of two ways,” Robinson exclusively told MOT Leeds News.

“It will either have a negative impact on the team’s confidence after having a result like that.

“But also if he turns it around and the team have a positive result after that game it will go in his favour. The loss to Palace will have a massive bearing between now and the end of the season.

“It will be a turning point. They will either fold and get relegated and everyone will say it was after the Crystal Palace game, or everybody will turn around and say look how well they did since that defeat – it rejuvenated them and kept them in the league.

“However, the season finished the Palace game will be pivotal.”

Gracia is on a “flexible” deal at Elland Road and little has been disclosed in regard to his long-term future at the club.

A win against Liverpool on Monday (17 April) would certainly go a long way in convincing the board that he is the right man for the job.

In other Leeds United news, find out what our exclusive pundit had to say on a potential Elland Road exit.