12 January 2023 , 19:13
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Jesse Marsch has urged referees to “protect” his Leeds players better after losing another to injury.
Although one-cap England striker Patrick Bamford is back in the squad visiting Aston Villa on Friday night, Crysencio Summerville is out for a month after being crocked by a poor challenge at Cardiff. Head coach Marsch said: "The ankle injury he sustained in the Cardiff match is a little bit of a talking point for me.
"Between Cree (Summerville) and Willy (Gnonto) specifically, opponents have tried to bully them. They have a hard time containing them and I don't think refs have protected those two well enough. It's made them susceptible to injury. I'd like to see referees protect attacking players a little better.”
But Marsch’s main issue is getting Leeds firing after a run of just two wins in 16 games. They have reportedly agreed terms with Hoffenheim for France Under 21s striker Georginio Rutter - Marsch refused to discuss transfers at Thursday's press conference - but he isn’t here in time for Friday's clash.
Despite that lack of form, he maintained: "I feel like we're in a good place and poised to have a click or spark that can launch us to where we want to be.”
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That said, the American conceded his squad do still need more cajoling from the sideline than others he has coached. Marsch explained: “Most places I've been I'm not standing up on the touchline as much as I am here.
Jesse Marsch is concerned about the challenges on his players, including Willy Gnonto (Getty Images)"I feel the need to try and help them in moments. My goal is to always make myself as obsolete as possible. In Germany I got ridiculed for saying that.
“But I believe the job of a leader is to make himself obsolete. It’s to provide the people within an organisation with all the tools they need to carry out things the best possible way. I'm not pleased that I haven't got there yet.”