Every word from Leeds United boss Javi Gracia's pre-Leicester City press conference on injuries, Angus Kinnear, Victor Orta and plea to fans
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Hot on the heels of hidings to Crystal Palace and Liverpool, fifth-bottom Leeds fell to a third Premier League defeat on the spin at the weekend as Saturday’s clash at Fulham ended in a 2-1 defeat. With just six games left, Gracia’s side are now only one point clear of the drop zone following a 2-1 victory for relegation rivals Leicester at home to Wolves and a goalless draw for Everton at Crystal Palace.
Victory for Leicester took the Foxes out of the drop zone and just a point and a place behind Leeds who they now visit for an enormous Tuesday night encounter under the Elland Road lights. Gracia spoke to the media at 1pm at Thorp Arch and here is everything that was said by United’s Spanish head coach.
Leeds United v Leicester City - Javi Gracia press conference every word
Have the senior management offered you support and words of encouragement?
“I do my job in the training ground, I can see Victor, Angus around the team after the game, before the game, always supporting me and supporting the team but what I can say is what I said before - I will be very happy for for these people because I know the effort they are doing to finish well.”
On test of character and mental strength now?
“I think the mentality is important because in these two days we don’t have much time to prepare for the next game. It is more important what other work you can do and how you can do it. Of course you have to prepare for the game tactically but mentally I think now the team needs this support and that’s that’s the reason I tell you that I would like to ask the supporters to support players because in this moment they need it. They need them.”
How do you keep the players believing that this going to change?
“I think all of us can feel we are living tough moments in the most important part of the season. But at the same time we know, I remember when I arrived five games ago, we were second bottom and emotionally in a difficult moment as well and we were able to change that dynamic. And then now we did it and we can do it again after these three bad results. I mean we can we can change that dynamic and try to come back to the good results.”
You said you were getting 2 or 3 hours sleep when things were going well, are you getting any at all now?
“Yeah, I am sleeping the same. Not too much. But I have time. In June I sleep.”
Is the job proving even harder than you envisaged?
“I enjoy my job because I prefer to be a player than a manager but I can’t do it. But I try to enjoy my job and knowing that there are good moments, bad moments and in this moment we are working hard because I think there are many people in this club, workers, all the people around the club that they really deserve to remain in the Premier League and thinking that I have to put everything to achieve the objective.”