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Whatever words of wisdom Jesse Marsch used on his players before kick-off spectacularly backfired again against Chelsea… many Leeds fans are now resigned to relegation and they need a miracle
- Leeds remain in the Premier League drop zone with just two games remaining
- On Saturday, they were a goal down and a man down after 27 minutes at Arsenal
- On Wednesday, Dan James saw red in the 24th minute with Chelsea leading 1-0
- Jesse Marsch talked up his motivational words of wisdom but they backfired
It is no wonder Jesse Marsch cited Mother Teresa as one of his great inspirations. Because the way things are looking for his Leeds side, they are starting to need the sort of miracle the saint is said to have performed.
Or perhaps it is Teresa’s charitable nature Marsch most admires. For the Whites have certainly mastered the art of giving their opponents a helping hand.
Against Arsenal last Sunday, they gifted the hosts a fifth-minute opener and were reduced to ten men after 27 minutes following Luke Ayling’s reckless two-footed tackle.
Jesse Marsch’s Leeds remain in the Premier League relegation zone with two games to go
On Wednesday night, they outdid even that, allowing Chelsea to score after only four minutes before Daniel James saw red in just the 24th minute for another wild, studs-up lunge.
It was the sort of tackle that would have made Mother Teresa wince. And whatever words of wisdom Marsch used on his players before kick-off on Wednesday night, they spectacularly backfired again.
At the Emirates, Marsch recited Mahatma Gandhi in his team talk, as revealed by winger Jack Harrison after the game.
Leeds winger Daniel James was sent off for a dangerous high tackle on Mateo Kovacic
Then before this visit of Chelsea, Marsch admitted he has a big book of quotes he uses on players, referencing Gandhi, Mother Teresa and former US president John F. Kennedy as some of the historical figures he most respected.
While an honest answer to a question, those press conference comments went down like a lead balloon with Leeds fans, who want less talk and more results from their new American manager.
In another recent interview, Marsch talked up his aim to have Leeds competing for European football within three years.
But right now, the Whites look destined for the Championship not the Champions League.
Mason Mount scored the game’s opening goal with a first-time effort from outside the box
It was only two months ago that Marsch was celebrating here at Elland Road after an injury-time winner against Norwich. They then came from two goals down to win at Wolves thanks to another last-minute goal.
Their unbeaten run stretched to five games and it seemed for all money that Marsch was going to steer Leeds to safety.
But things have imploded since then and many Leeds supporters are resigned to relegation.
Not that you would know it in the stands. After Mason Mount put Chelsea ahead, the home fans responded with a deafening chant of ‘We all love Leeds’.
It was a similar reaction after Christian Pulisic’s 55th-minute second and Romelu Lukaku’s third seven minutes from time.
For all their doubts about Marsch and their anger with the board, these fans are doing everything in their powers to keep their team in the Premier League. If only the same could be said of the players.
Christian Pulisic slotted Mount’s pass into the bottom corner from 20 yards in the 55th minute
Romelu Lukaku held off three Leeds defenders before rifling his shot into the corner of the net
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