Leeds fans have cruelly handed manager Jesse Marsch a new nickname after their latest defeat – ‘Yank Lampard’.
The American coach watched his side slip to another loss against Nottingham Forest on Sunday – their 10th of the Premier League campaign this season. Leeds have not won a Premier League game since the beginning of November and are teetering precariously just above the relegation zone.
Brennan Johnson’s goal proved to be the difference between the sides at the City Ground, after coming about in controversial circumstances, and Marsch was left ruing another game where his side did everything he asked for, but still came out with nothing.
READ MORE: Leeds fans furious as VAR cannot intervene on Forest goal despite Brennan Johnson offside
“I’m frustrated and disappointed,” Marsch admitted to Sky Sports after the match. “I feel like we had a really good start, we were on top of the match, we had chances to score, and then on a set piece it’s almost their only time down the pitch in the first half and we go down 1-0, and so I have to find a way to get more out of the group,
“I have to make sure we don’t feel sorry for ourselves and we have to find a way to stay strong and keep going. But I obviously take responsibility and I have to find a way to get more out of us and make sure when we’re on top of games we don’t lose them.”
Marsch’s harsh nickname was trending on Twitter after the match and comes following the sacking of Frank Lampard by Everton after his failure to guide the Toffees away from the drop zone. The pressure is now mounting on Marsch to turn things round, but he seemed at a loss to figure out how to win matches, conceding Leeds “find ways to lose”.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Will Leeds fend off relegation with Marsch in charge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
(Image: PA)
“I feel like we’ve had this feeling a lot,” he continued. “When we’ve played quite well, we’ve been on top of matches but we find ways to lose. It’s a young team so we have to accept that there’s sometimes going to be mistakes, but we have to find ways to become winners.
“We have to find ways to turn performances into points and we’ve been in this place for a little while and it feels like it’s moving in the right direction but it’s not enough, we have to get more out of it.”
Fans made their feelings heard on social media as they called for a change in manager. “Marsch out, time to go!,” one angry fan wrote, as another said: “I really like him as a person but today, maybe for the first time ever, he looks defeated and worried for his position. Changing manager would be brutal but it’s a results business.”
(Image: Malcolm Bryce/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)
Others were more ruthless in their opinions, with one writing “Sack. Him. Now.” Another wrote: “It’s the same interview *every week*. Cut. Your. Losses.”
It’s clear some Leeds fans have less patience than others, as one wrote: “Not worked out for you pal, thanks for trying though.” While another said: “Find a way to get more out of the group by LEAVING!”
Summing up Marsch’s situation compared with Lampard, one Leeds fan feels the board need to act. “Sad times – this guy rolls up every week and says the same thing: sadly the team on the pitch roll up every week and do the same thing,” they wrote. “Stick with him and we’re down, Everton did the right thing – we need to follow.”
(Image: PA)
Leeds now face a crucial week and have the unenviable task of facing an in-form Manchester United not once, but twice, with a trip to Old Trafford up first in midweek before welcoming the Red Devils to Elland Road next Sunday. Marsch’s side then travel to Everton – who have already made a great start under new boss Sean Dyche – though whether the American will still be at the helm remains to be seen.
“I believe in these guys,” Marsch told BBC Sport. “I believe in their character and work rate and quality. I have to find ways to make them better.
“Obviously we know what the table situation is. The frustrating thing is to just let opponent after opponent after opponent slip away. We’ve got to change that dialogue. We’ve got to become more winners instead of finding ways to lose. That’s basically now my responsibility.”
READ NEXT: