Jesse Marsch press conference RECAP: Leeds United boss offers Bamford verdict

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch hosted his final pre-match press conference of the season at Thorp Arch ahead of the trip to Brentford
WATCH: Time is running out for Leeds to save themselves from relegation (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)WATCH: Time is running out for Leeds to save themselves from relegation (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
WATCH: Time is running out for Leeds to save themselves from relegation (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Leeds United's last fixture of the season will prove their most crucial as Premier League survival is decided over the course of 90 minutes on Sunday.

United are in the relegation zone after 37 matches played and will be relegated to the Championship if they fall to defeat against Brentford.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chances of survival swung in Burnley's favour on Thursday night as the Clarets picked up a point away to Aston Villa, while Everton completed a comeback against Crystal Palace to mathematically secure their safety.

Heading into the final round of fixtures, Leeds and Burnley are engaged in a straight shoot-out for survival.

Both sides sit on 35 points, however the Lancashire club boast a much better goal difference than the Whites, meaning Burnley need only match Leeds' result in west London.

The objective is clear for Leeds: win and hope Burnley falter at home to Newcastle United.

Jesse Marsch spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of his side's final game of the season.

Live updates to follow here.

Jesse Marsch press conference RECAP: Leeds United boss offers Bamford verdict

Marsch on Brentford threat

At set-piece situations they’re very creative. Eriksen puts a lot of good balls in. Today was a set-piece day.

Marsch on Bamford availability

In training he’s looked really good. With this injury it’s good to rupture it because it releases the tension. I think he’ll have a positive impact, we’re just trying to physically prepare him to give us as many minutes as he can.

Marsch on how he’s feeling

I actually slept pretty well last night because I have a lot of confidence in the group. The preparation to make sure we do whatever we can to make sure we get the three points is the important thing. There’s stresses involved, but I’m okay. I’m excited. For me you don’t work in this business unless you want to be in these situations. Fighting for results, doing whatever it takes to be successful.

Marsch on conversations with the board

We’ve not had any communication other than to say that they have done some behind-the-scenes planning to make sure we’re in good shape whichever direction the season goes, so that we’re secure and able to move forward in a positive direction.

Marsch on Brentford

Eddie Gray was here yesterday and he told me in the old stadium it was really difficult to play there, and the new stadium is nice but the energy maybe isn’t the same.

Marsch on Robin Koch

Robin [Koch] trained today. I think he’ll be ready from the start.

Marsch on what he wants from players

The lads have been focused and the desire to do whatever we can is at an extremely high level. We’ll have to dig deep again.

Marsch on focusing on one other game

It would have been a lot easier if we were already locked into the league. The fact we only have one match to keep track of and we have to ‘out-point’ Burnley, a win gives us the best opportunity.

Marsch on mood in camp

The mood in the training centre was really good, it was upbeat, it was positive, we know we have maintain a strong mindset.

If Burnley know we’re having a positive result in our match it can put pressure on them.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.