Sam Allardyce reintroduces after-training drills for Leeds United stars after Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia axed them
Sam Allardyce has reintroduced after-session shooting and crossing drills for forwards at Leeds United after they were axed by Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia.
The Whites currently sit second from bottom in the Premier League with three games remaining, with Allardyce brought in to try and save the team from relegation.
He has placed emphasis on conceding less goals after a shocking return of 23 conceded in April, but according to The Telegraph (12 May) he has also brought back attacking drills on the pitch to help the attackers flourish in a move that the players have “embraced”.
“There has also been more of a focus shooting and crossing, with sessions put on after training for the first time, it appears, in months,” they wrote.
“It did not appear to be a priority for either Jesse Marsch or Javi Gracia, who did not want separate sessions on such basic skills after training. The shot-shy players, though, have embraced it.”
Simple
It’s simple and obvious things like this that have been missing from the team’s performances in recent weeks and months, and now we know why.
We have scored 44 goals this season, more than eight teams, but defensively we have been poor and now the goals have begun to dry up too.
But to get the confidence back up the players need to be sharp in front of goal and putting into action the type of play the manager wants on the training pitch should result on seeing it at Elland Road too.
Allardyce knows how to make a team better defensively and we will need that against Newcastle, but it will also help greatly if our attackers are capable of finding the back of the net too.
The players are happier under him than they were under Gracia, and if that sparks a turn in fortunes and performances then we should still believe that we can stay up.
In other Leeds news, Andrea Radrizzani could yet stay at the club next season amid this takeover update.