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 what has changed in the Premier League
I don’t know if there are many changes from my last experience. Always was hard this competition, always very demanding. Now in this moment, we are arriving to the end and all the teams can feel that moment and all of them make an extra effort and maybe it’s the moment you can see all the teams in a better level. In my opinion, I don’t find many changes.
Gracia on Brenden
I think Brenden now is concerned to score more goals for the team but he is doing a great job for the team playing in between the lines, creating play and helping a lot in the defensive work. That is the balance we need, when we are defending we need all of them to have the same mentality as Brenden. When attacking in the future we want to give him more skills to finish better, more clinical. It’s something that’s coming, he has the right attitude.
Gracia on players on bench
I think it’s difficult when the players you have don’t understand many things but I can tell you first of all very good professionals and they accept all my decisions and always with good spirit because they only have one objective: try to help the team. After, sure they want to play more. Yesterday one of the first things I did was to thank all the players, the behaviour they have trying to push the team from the bench, from the stands, maybe different from other clubs. We have very good atmosphere and it will help us get our objectives.
Gracia on the fans
I could feel the relation between the supporters and the team from my first game. For example when I was at the memorial for Christopher and Kevin, it’s something you can feel the difference in the club, you can see the relation between the supporters with all the club. It’s something really emotional and something we have to keep for the next years.
Gracia on the defence
I think he’s one player doing many things well. In the last game we spoke how important the defensive work was for the whole team, but the defensive line, concentrating when we were attacking. It was crucial for getting the points. All the defensive line is at a high level, I’m trying to improve our defensive work. When I arrived it was something we needed to improve.
Gracia on Elland Road
Massive for us. It’s something I’m sure it will make the difference for us, playing at home with the atmosphere we have, it’s special. You could feel in the last game, we started losing and all the support we felt in that moment helped us to get three points at the end of the game. It’s something extra for us. I always want to thank our supporters for the support they give us.
Gracia on six-pointers
Now we can speak about how important it is to get six points in these two games but I’m not watching our last game to give more or less importance to the next. Now it’s a new game where we know it’s our objective in play and we need the points. Now it’s trying to be focused on that game. It’s like if it were a final for us, we have to play with that mentality.
Gracia on Hodgson and Palace
I expect a very difficult game for sure, like all of the games in this competition. I had the opportunity to play against him when I was at Watford. I know him very well, very nice person, always had a very good behaviour. It will be a pleasure to see him again.
Gracia on the team’s style
I think it’s my decision, it’s my job to take that decision. We spoke about it, when I arrive at a new club I want to know the characteristics and positions of the players. After that I have to choose the best solution, best shape. First thing is to know my players better. After living with them different experiences I have to choose the best options.