'Win that trophy' - Leeds United boss Javi Gracia's pre-Fulham FA Cup press conference every word
and live on Freeview channel 276
Leeds finally bagged their first Premier League victory since November on Saturday as a Junior Firpo strike gave the Whites a hugely important 1-0 victory at home to fellow relegation-battlers Southampton in new Whites boss Javi Gracia’s first game in charge.
Attention now quickly turns to the FA Cup in which United have made it through to the last 16 and face Premier League highflyers Fulham for a place in the quarter-finals. Gracia, who took Watford to the 2019 FA Cup final, held his pre-match press conference ahead of the Craven Cottage cup tie at 1pm at Thorp Arch today and here is every word that was said by the new Whites head coach.
Fulham v Leeds United: Javi Gracia press conference live
Key Events
- Whites visit Fulham in FA Cup fifth round
- Tuesday night 7.45pm kick-off at Craven Cottage
For Javi Gracia’s pre-Fulham FA Cup presser. Can he take another team to a final?! All the latest news to follow here.
Good afternoon
A third Javi Gracia presser in the space of four days following Friday’s pre-match Saints one and Saturday’s post-match victory one. 1pm start and all the latest here.
What has the mood been like since Saturday in training?
“Good. I have enjoyed these days, training with the team and with the players after a grest result for us and preparing us as best as possible our next game tomorrow, thinking about tomorrow and knowing its another competition but very, very excited.”
How do you describe the effect of the victory on the team?
“Knowing it’s only a win, only a good result for us I think is really important in terms of confidence, in terms of believing all the things we are doing, it’s very good for the present and the future as well.”
What are your best memories with Watford of the FA Cup?
“Very very good memories unforgettable for me. What I could see in that competition, for our supporters, the way all our supporters enjoyed is something I will never forget. It’s something I try to explain to our players. I have only one experience but that experience was something amazing for me. And I would like to to live it again.”
What is your approach with regards to changes in the cup?
“I think we need to create something from our first day. I think we did it. We trained well, we prepared well for the game. After I think we had a good performance and after, now we have another moment, another competition. It’s one game and there is no chance to make mistakes. If you make a mistake, you pay for it. Then we have to be very focused to live this game with intensity and knowing it’s only one chance and we have to take it. All the players as I said before, in my opinion are really motivated and we hope the best for that game.”
Team news - We know Greenwood suspended, Struijk and Cooper probably not yet, what about Sinisterra?
“I don’t like to speak much about injured players but I try to tell you something. In this moment we are in the same situation with respect of the injured players, the players who were available in the last game will be available for this next one. In this case, as you said, Greenwood will be suspended.”
Have you managed to do the next stage of planning with the team?
“Yeah. As I did, as you mentioned before in the Watford experience and as I did in that moment, I always try to choose the best XI to start the game. And sometimes to choose the best XI is to make some changes. Another moment maybe is to keep the same XI you play in the last game. But for sure we need something new or fresh legs and to change something to compete our best level because as I said in other moments, I trust in all my players and I think it’s a good opportunity to play or to see in other games, other players.”