Leeds' American manager Jesse Marsch has publicly called for his underperforming side to 'invest everything they have into our process' amid the club's winless six-game run in the Premier League, as he confesses that it's 'difficult to be patient.'
The Whites suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Arsenal on Sunday in an eventful match brimming with controversy. Patrick Bamford missed a chance to tie the game from the spot and had another penalty overturned during a review in a game that was delayed for 40 minutes due to an electrical fault at Elland Road.
'It's difficult to be patient as a manager, I want to win every game,' Marsch tweeted on Monday in reaction to his side's latest loss. 'I ask the lads to invest everything they have into our process & each other. My experience is that they will benefit massively from this mentality. We're getting better, no doubt, & I back these men all the way!'
After Sunday's match resumed, Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when the England winger slammed home an angled finish into the roof of the net after receiving a pass from captain Martin Odegaard.
Leeds sent on forward Patrick Bamford to start the second half and the change looked to be an inspired one. The Englishman put the ball in the Arsenal goal within minutes only for it to be ruled out for a push on Arsenal defender Gabriel.
With Leeds pressing, Arsenal defender William Saliba gave away a penalty for handling in the area. Bamford stepped up but sent the ball wide.
The home side continued to pressure the league leaders and appeared to have secured another opportunity to equalize when referee Chris Kavanagh sent off Arsenal's Gabriel for lashing out at Bamford and awarded another penalty in stoppage time.
However, he overturned both the sending off and the penalty award after reviewing footage of the incident at the VAR pitchside monitor.
Arsenal has now won nine of the club's first 10 league matches. Manchester City lost 1-0 against Liverpool at Anfield later on Sunday to give the Gunners a four-point lead at the top.
The defeat, though, leaves Leeds in 15th, just a point off the relegation zone.
Marsch said he was 'disappointed and frustrated' by his side's misfortune and lack of cutting edge.
The last time his side won in the league was on August 21st against Chelsea (3-0) at home, prompting Thomas Tuchel to be relieved from his duties as the Blues' manager.
'This business is about collecting points and not just about performances, but clearly I think that was a showcase of the way we can play,' Marsch said.
'We’ve had a number of games where we’ve been on top and been the better team and we don’t find ways to get the goals we deserve. We were better on the day, but we’re walking away with nothing. So again, we’ve got to find ways to take the good things and have it add up to results.'
The Whites next face Leicester City (19th) in a crucial game to avoid the drop on Thursday, before taking on newly promoted Fulham (11th) on Sunday.