sport news Jesse Marsch calls for calm amongst Leeds fans on the final day after a week of ... trends now
Jesse Marsch accepts there will be deep anger if Leeds United are relegated today but has urged supporters to keep the peace amid fears of further crowd disorder.
They are staring at the prospect of returning to the Championship just two seasons after returning to the Premier League following a 16-year absence.
They are third bottom and, due to their inferior goal difference, must collect more points at Brentford than Burnley manage at home to Newcastle if they are to survive.
Hundreds of extra Metropolitan Police officers will be on duty at Brentford and across the capital, with Leeds’ rivals Manchester United playing at Crystal Palace and Everton at Arsenal.
Leeds must better Burnley's result on Sunday to avoid relegation back to the Championship
After a week of numerous pitch invasions, an assault on Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp at Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira’s clash with an Everton fan, Marsch has appealed for calm.
Leeds fans infamously rioted at Bournemouth in May 1990 when they won promotion to the top flight and Marsch said of the club’s vociferous following: ‘I know that they are fervent fans and their emotions can sometimes get the better of them in negative ways. But I’ve seen only the positive effect.
'I’ve tried to reiterate that it’s massively important for our players to feel that.
‘There was one match recently where I read a letter from a fan to the players beforehand. I said to them that it’s special to be a player for Leeds United and is unique in many ways.
'The letter said that the players are their heroes and I wanted to make sure they understood that.
‘Yes, I know that big moments like this always stir a lot of emotion. But I hope the fans find a way, no matter what, to be at our side and to know we’re going to get this right on Sunday.’
Former RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch replaced Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road in February
Club legend Eddie Gray visited Marsch at Leeds’ training ground on Thursday and was in charge when the Whites were last relegated from the Premier League in 2004.
Gray said: ‘Leeds is a huge one-club city and that’s why it’s so vital we stay in the Premier League. We had a long time out of it and don’t want to slip back into the Championship. I’m sure the players know the importance of the club staying in the Premier League for the fans, for the city of Leeds and for themselves.’
Gray and members of Leeds’ 1972 FA Cup-winning team, along with the 1992 First Division
