Leeds United chief fires strong Brentford warning and makes admission about 'stealing' from Bees

Memories so good that he even jokes about them with his American pals.

"In the US it’s all about finishing first," says Marsch.

"That's all that anyone cares about.

"I told them that 17th can feel like first as well."

Marsch, though, is keen to stress that the glory of Leeds United’s great escape from relegation at Brentford is now firmly in the past and that a huge and very different challenge now awaits against the Bees this afternoon.

May's fixture at the Brentford Community Stadium was still only Marsch's 12th game in charge but one that would prove pivotal to the future.

Marsch's Whites sat in the Premier League's relegation zone as the first ball was kicked on Sunday, May 22 but just under two hours later Leeds had leapfrogged Burnley to ensure their Premier League survival as Raphinha and Jack Harrison both struck to net a 2-1 victory.

Wild celebrations followed as Raphinha even took his place in the Whites away end following his knee walk along the pitch.

Marsch can recall it all clearly, including the jubilation in the changing room after sealing top-flight survival in the most dramatic fashion.

Just over three months on, Leeds are now heading back to the same scene of those glorious celebrations but this, says Marsch, is now altogether a different task.

The Whites boss says he is particularly wary of Brentford’s threat from set pieces but is optimistic that his side can sharpen up their own performance from Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against Everton to take another positive result at the Bees.

“Obviously we have good memories of playing down there last year," said Marsch.

"The situation is completely different now.

"I think Brentford have had a great start, had a great season last year and are a team that is very clear with the way that they play football.

"Certainly when you talk about Brentford you have to talk about set-pieces and how effective and creative they are.

"That was what the preparation was solely about today, looking at Brentford from what they do at set pieces and what we need to be good at on the day.

"Like always, we’ll be expecting a tough match and you see some similarities between games that we've played so far and a lot of things that are different.

"For us, I think it’s really important we understand what exactly we think the opponent is going to present and then play to the way we want the game to look and try to see if we can pull that out of each moment.

"We’ll show Everton moments and how it applies to Brentford but I thought when I watched it back again, especially the second half, there were also a lot of really good moments in the first half.

"We played quite well, were in command of the game and if we can be a little bit sharper with some things we could’ve walked away with a win and come away feeling really good about that match.”

Asked what was his abiding memory of Brentford last May, Marsch pondered: “Celebrating with the fans after the match, celebrating with the team in the locker room.

"I joked with so many of my American friends where in the US it’s all about finishing first, that’s all that anyone cares about.

"I told them that 17th can feel like first as well.

"But now’s the new season, a new moment, a new opportunity for us against a good team. Not that they had a bad performance on that day, but clearly their season was over.

"Even after the game all their families were together and they walked around, back in the Premier League, finishing their first season, staying in the league was a big moment for them too I think.

"They weren’t totally focused on exactly what the game required whereas this time they certainly will be.”

Brenford are now in United's shoes from last season in their second year back in the country's top flight.

But there is little sign of second season syndrome for a team who have already amassed six points and Marsch has plenty of respect for what Thomas Frank's side offer; so much so that he even admits to trying to copy them.

"I think Thomas Frank has done an incredible job with his team," said Marsch.

"They have such continuity, such clarity. I love set pieces so a lot of time I watch them, I think about what I could steal from them.

"Then I think even the variability of the way they play makes it a difficult opponent to prepare for.

"They have really good talent on the pitch, a good club that has done a really good job of moving up the ranks and now being a top Premier League team as well. It’ll be a big challenge.”

Asked about Frank's work also in keeping Brentford level headed, Marsch added: "It’s hard for me but I look at them from a scouting perspective and I see angles from how they play and I can analyse the intelligence of how they play on the pitch, more than about the energy inside the team, other than when you read in the week leading up to when you play them and try capture where the mentality is of the opponent.

"However, from watching him from afar he has a really good demeanour, a good rapport with his players.

"From watching his team tactically I can see there is a lot of intelligence and variability in what they do.

"At set-pieces they are one of the best in the world so he has a way.

"That’s what I always like – when a manager has a way – I find that interesting and there’s things that can be learned from what they do.

"For us it’s not the easiest opponent to prepare for because of all the types of things you have to understand, including long throws which could always say they’re incredible at. It will be a big challenge for us.”