Leeds boss Jesse Marsch hails Aston Villa loss as the 'most complete performance' of his tenure
- Planet Sport writer
- 14 January 2023
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch dismissed any growing pressure and said he can 'take the heat' after fans called for his sacking following Friday's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
Leon Bailey's early strike and Emi Buendia's second-half header gave Villa a 2-1 win with the wasteful visitors letting them off the hook.
Rodrigo had a goal disallowed and shot cleared off the line while Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto were expertly denied by Emi Martinez before Patrick Bamford's consolation.
It extended Leeds' winless run to seven games in all competitions - they have won just twice since August - to leave them two points above the Premier League relegation zone and away fans chanted for Marsch's removal.
He said: "I'm focused entirely on our team. I understand the pressures which come with the expectation at a club like Leeds. I'm more positive than I've ever been since I've been here.
"When the team doesn't win the coach is always going to take the heat but I can handle that.
"There's no panic, it's really trying to kick start the way we want to play. If we do that we have enough quality and intelligence to achieve our goals.
"In sport sometime you can be on top and lose. This is our most complete performance since I've been here and the best example of the way I believe the team can play. I'm in a positive place with our group."
Leeds will now turn their attention to Wednesday's FA Cup third round replay against Cardiff before hosting Brentford in the Premier League next weekend.
