Don’t panic! Milanic ‘still calm’ about Leeds performance

The United head coach, still awaiting his first victory in charge after taking just two points out of a possible 12 from his four matches at the helm, leads out Leeds at Norwich City at Carrow Road tonight, a ground where the visitors have won just once in their last ten matches.

Leeds head south on the back of last Friday’s televised derby defeat at Rotherham United, where Milanic’s side paid the price for a disappointing second-half showing in a 2-1 reverse.

Despite the setback, Milanic says he does not feel under any greater scrutiny, with his main concern being for his side to piece together a ninety-minute performance, both offensively and defensively to back up good aspects of their recent displays against Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday and Reading.

On the notion of pressure, he added:”My job in every moment is under pressure. But I have to be calm and work hard.

“My job is to improve. We have played not bad and in the last three games, we have shown a lot of quality. But I know that we need the points.

“In football and at this level, it is normal that we have this (pressure). It is a big club in a very good league. It is normal we have all pressure.

“In the four games, we have not made a lot of points. But we are not a bad team without (winning) nothing.

“We are competitive and the differences are not too big in each game.

“When you play against one team at the top and one at bottom, there is not much difference. Every game is extremely difficult.”

Milanic reports no additional injury problems following Friday’s clash at the New York Stadium, with one slight doubt regarding Billy Sharp quickly allayed by the Slovenian with the striker being part of the first-team squad who travelled down to East Anglia yesterday afternoon.

Milanic’s main selection issue revolves around Brazilian play-maker Adryan, who caught the eye in an impressive appearance from the bench at the New York Stadium.

The Flamengo player, 20 –signed on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent transfer – showcased his talents in a polished showing after coming on for teenager Lewis Cook in the 63rd minute.

And Milanic admits that his performance provided him with plenty of food for thought ahead of electing whether to hand him his first start or bring him on as an impact substitute from the bench.

He said: “Adryan is a player with great talent and a player who has something in him to be a very good player.

“In thirty minutes on Friday, he had a very good game and was dangerous and wanted to play forwards.

“His dribbling was also very good. He was extremely dangerous.

“He took responsibility and received the ball and played forward and was brave.

“He showed a lot of quality and on Friday, it was very good.”