Javi Gracia's Leeds United press conference highlights as coach previews Palace and provides new injury update
and live on Freeview channel 276
Roy Hodgson’s side visit Elland Road this weekend sitting one point and one place above the Whites in the Premier League table. Leeds’ recent form – three wins in six league matches under Gracia – has seen them keep pace with fellow relegation strugglers and give themselves a fighting chance of survival this season.
Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest was a much-needed three points and supporters are hoping for a repeat of the midweek triumph when the Eagles arrive on Sunday afternoon.
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Hide AdHodgson has returned to the dugout, replacing Patrick Vieira last month, and presided over a 2-1 win of his own against Leicester City last weekend. The south Londoners played with verve recording 31 shots versus the Foxes.
Leeds were still without Tyler Adams and Max Wober on Tuesday, but Willy Gnonto returned to the matchday squad, although was not risked from the substitutes’ bench. His availability for Sunday will be a hot topic during today’s press conference.
Follow it live here from 1pm.
Javi Gracia pre-match press conference LIVE
Gracia on Harrison
Nothing different than others, I try to speak with all my players because it’s my job. I have to try to help them improve their level. I like to speak with all of them because all of them deserve my consideration towards them. Then, I try to take care of all my players the same way. Jack is keeping a high level, assisting, scoring, working a lot for the team.
Gracia on wingers/width
Everybody could see the level of Luis in the last game, my opinion about our wingers is that all of them is keeping high level when they participate in the games they play. We can speak about all of them. It’s something I’m proud because I can choose different ways to play. We started with Jack on the right and Luis on the left in the last game, I think it was the best option to attack.
Gracia on Gnonto
Willy was on the bench last game, available. He didn’t play but he was on the bench.
Gracia on the table
For me nothing’s changed. We need more points, we try to play with the same desire, same energy.
Gracia continued
When we see how the competition is, we can see the differences are minimal. We have to be ready to try to get points in every single game because we know everything changes very quickly. We try to be focused on the next game. The next three points are the points we need, that’s the feeling with which we play the game.
Gracia on facing Palace
We know how hard it is to get the three points. Of course we have a positive mentality and we try to do it. We have to be humble and give importance to every single point.
Gracia on injuries
We don’t have any news about injured players. We have the same players as we had for the last game.
Five minutes
Mic tests sorted, pencils sharpened, notepads at the ready, Javi Gracia joining us in five minutes.