Key Leeds United figure on squad 'feeling' ahead of Brentford after Chelsea and Liverpool results
Leeds United head to Brentford with a renewed sense of optimism following their four-point week at Elland Road.
Leeds United midfielder Ilia Gruev believes self-confidence and ‘tactical variety’ have been key to his side’s upturn in form over the past week.
Leeds went into a three-game run against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League relegation zone and under huge pressure which had only intensified by half-time at the Etihad. Daniel Farke’s side were 2-0 down and struggling but a change of formation sparked a spirited second-half comeback that would have earned a point, were it not for Phil Foden’s late winner.
Farke stuck with the 3-5-2 set up and direct approach at home to Chelsea, with Leeds producing their best performance of the season to win 3-1 before twice coming from behind to draw 3-3 against Liverpool on Saturday. And despite the level of opponent and poor form going into that run, Gruev felt a sense of belief inside the dressing room.
"I think it's one of the most important things in football - to have self-confidence, to believe in what you are doing," the midfielder told BBC Radio Leeds. "I had a feeling in the changing room before the game against City, and also against Chelsea and Liverpool, that we believe we can win this game.
“It's not like you play these teams and think 'hopefully we can do something'. No, it's that we believe in what we can do, in our quality. I really like this mentality and positivity in our group. We have very intelligent players who have a tactical variety so we can adapt very quickly.
“We also have a good spirit on the pitch, we are watching each other and helping each other. I look to Ethan [Ampadu] or Ao [Tanaka], for example, I see where they are, then I know where I have to go. Some things are a feeling, it's quite natural. The coach is giving us a system - but in the system we have freedom and this is quite important, for me, and I think we do it really well."
Ilia Gruev previews Leeds United’s Brentford trip
Last week’s four-point haul has changed the feeling around Elland Road, with Leeds climbing up to 16th and in with a fighting chance of survival. Away form remains an issue, however, with three points from 21 on offer the joint-second worst record on the road across the Premier League.
Leeds have a chance to improve that record on Sunday but in Brentford, face a team whose home form is bettered only by the current Premier League top three. Gruev knows his side are in for a physical battle at the Gtech Community Stadium but heads south with the same belief he felt against City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
“Of course we feel really good after this week,” he added. “We are really self-confident but we also know it's a really tough game. Let's be honest every game is tough in this league. We know it’s going to be a tough game with a lot of set-pieces, a lot of throw-ins.
“It’s not going to be easy but we know what we can do. We want to play our game there and we want to have a good result.”