Raphinha: Leeds United players hopeful of turning corner
Leeds United forward Raphinha has revealed that the players are concerned over recent results, but he believes they can turn things around.
The Elland Road outfit have won just three games out of 18 Premier League fixtures in 2021-22, with five points and two places between them and the relegation zone.
They face Liverpool and Aston Villa in their last games of 2021, and while they are expected to be tough encounters, Raphinha is optimistic of his side’s chances of getting the much-needed points on board.
He told Mirror: “Of course we look at the situation and the low position in the table and we are concerned about not getting the results we deserve.
“But we know there are a lot of games ahead of us to turn the situation around. I don’t think we have played bad football.
“I think we have had a lot of bad luck and been unable to finish off games. That’s football.
“The most important thing is winning games and if you play well, but don’t win, you’re not picking up the three points.
“The most important thing is getting those wins to put points on the table to get out of the situation we find ourselves in.”
Keep hope alive
The Brazilian forward has bagged eight goals and assisted another out of the 18 that Leeds have scored this season, and he is one of the reasons they are not in the drop zone already.
While recent results have not been good, the Whites have a decent fixture in the opening weeks of 2022, and they can get something from those games.
They begin the New Year with games against Burnley, West Ham, Newcastle United, Villa and Everton, and with most of their injured players likely to be available then, Leeds should be able to get their season back on track.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are also expected to make a couple of additions to their squad when the January transfer window opens, and doing that and getting quality players capable of hitting the ground running on board should help.
They are not the worse team in the top-flight and should still be able to hold on to their Premier League at the end of the campaign, but they need to start picking up points sooner rather than later.
In other Leeds United news, Whites chiefs recently jetted out of the UK for talks.