Javi Gracia urges Leeds United and Patrick Bamford to demonstrate mental toughness in the Premier League relegation battle.
Javi Gracia feels mental toughness will be vital as Leeds United attempt to “change the dynamic” of their Premier League run-in – and Patrick Bamford will have to demonstrate more than others.
Three and a half weeks ago, the Whites’ chances of retaining their top-flight position looked promising after three victories in coach Gracia’s first six games in charge, all against opponents also fighting for survival.
However, three straight defeats, the first two of which were crushingly humiliating, and a draw from a winning position have altered the picture, and not for the better.
On Sunday, Leeds go to Bournemouth, who appear to have pushed away from danger, sitting just one point above the relegation zone with only five games remaining.
That’s bad enough, but May’s first two games are against in-form Manchester City and Newcastle United.
So Gracia is looking for his team to demonstrate their worth on the south coast.
“In this situation, we have to put everything into this game because we’ve missed the last few chances and we have to take the next one,” he says.
“There are always positives to take, but the last results were unexpected for us, and we need a good result to change the dynamic.”
“They’re professionals, very good professionals, and you have to deal with it, handle it.”There will be times when you feel better and times when you feel worse, but you must maintain your professionalism and give your all now, in this vital period of the season.
“We’ll have to keep going and keep working like this, and I’m sure we’ll be able to change the dynamic we have.”Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion stopped an 11-match losing streak, lifting them out of the relegation zone and giving them something to build on against Brentford on Saturday. On Monday, Everton will host Leicester City.
“It’s best not to pay too much attention to (other results) because you have to be focused on yourself,” Gracia says.
“You know you have to get points, you have to improve your games, and that’s the right way for us to work hard and improve because we need to win points and play better.”
“Bournemouth are a well-organized team with a very clear style of play.” They have achieved success.
“They are now in a better position than us, but we are confident that we can play well and get good results.”
“Full of confidence” were not the first words that came to mind when Leeds went ahead against Leicester on Tuesday and then sat back, apparently reluctant to slam home the lead. They were defeated by an unavoidable equalizer from Jamie Vardy.
“Of course, you’ll feel better when you have the reward of points after working all week,” Gracia explains. “But we know we have to prepare for the next game because we missed some crucial opportunities, but we don’t have time to dwell on that.”
“At the end of the season, we can analyze what happened in that game or other things, but right now, we have to focus solely on the next game.”
“And I think the confidence stems from all of the previous things we did with them, that they did it (got results) and can do it again.”
It is simple to pinpoint the point at when everything began to go awry. As halftime neared at home to Crystal Palace, the Whites were 1-0 up, seeking to build on their triumph over Nottingham Forest. They were defeated 5-1 as the final whistle blew.
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