All the pressure's on Leeds tonight says Fleetwood boss

Fleetwood head coach Uwe Rosler says all the pressure is on his old club Leeds as he eyes a giantkilling in the EFL Cup at Highbury tonight.
Uwe RoslerUwe Rosler
Uwe Rosler

Championship outfit Leeds have been licking their wounds after a 3-0 opening-day defeat to QPR and Rosler, who was sacked by the Elland Road club last October, says that result could work in his side’s favour in the 7.45pm first-round clash.

Rosler said: “The only pressure on us is to perform, to give it our best shot, to be positive in approach. In terms of result, the pressure is purely on Leeds United.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“After their 3-0 defeat I think they are desperate to win and that hopefully gives us chances. I want to see my players go out and say we have a chance.

“There are a lot of eyes watching the game. Scouts are coming, and you really have the chance to put the marker down and show what you can do against an established team in the Championship.”

The German takes charge for the first time at Highbury with a familiar face in the opposite dugout. He and Leeds manager Garry Monk were team-mates at Southampton.

Rosler said: “It is my first home game and there is nothing better than being against such a big club.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds will be missing Gaetano Berardi (hamstring) and Marco Silvestri (knee), but Rosler says all his players have recovered from any knocks picked up in the draw at Northampton.

Even so, he plans to give players who did not start at Sixfields a chance to shine.

He said: “Joining a club a week before the season starts is not optimum timing, but with the help of the players and staff the settling-in period went well and I think it was important to get that result against Northampton.

“I am still in the process of assessing the squad. Tonight players who did not start against Northampton will get a chance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think we can already see one or two areas (that need strengthening) but we are not in a rush and I am not making any panic buys. That is the worst thing you can do.

“I have (technical director) Gretar Steinsson overlooking the recruitment department and Steve Davis, a very experienced chief scout, so I am concentrating on assessing players and seeing how they can perform.

“I think we are always looking at possible additions but I am still in a phase where we are giving everyone a chance. The truth is on the pitch and when you go out you have to perform.

“I wish that all my players take their chances and we don’t need to make any additions. At the moment I think we are probably one or two bodies short.”

Rosler doesn’t regret Leeds spell: Page 44