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Charlie Bennett

Everything Javi Gracia said on Liam Cooper, Leeds United’s style, Tyler Adams, Wolves and more

How big a blow is it to lose Tyler Adams against Wolves and will he be back for the Arsenal game? How will you replace him?

"As you say, Tyler is injured. At this moment, he's with a specialist and we will see how long he is out of the team.

"We have other players. All of us know Tyler is a key player for us but we have to manage with the squad we have. We have all the players ready for the next game."

It is so tight at the bottom of the table, five points between nine teams, do you see that as a positive? Could it go down to the final day?

"There are many teams involved in relegation. As I told you many times, we are focused on the next game, giving the most importance to the points in play.

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"We know it will be in a similar way until the end. We have to be ready and focused in every game - trying to give our best. I'm sure we will be fighting until the end.

"When I came here three weeks ago, I knew the objective was to remain in the Premier League. And I'm sure of that (we will stay up)."

Psychologically, what would a win against Wolves do ahead of the international break and how will you use that break?

"It is always important to get a win but, in this case, even more so. After winning a game, you have more time to work with the players you have because some of them are away with their national teams.

"It is a good time to work and to do it with a good atmosphere. You need to remain with the attitude and the spirit of the players. It will be good for us to get a good result because it will be good to work with the players next week."

Is there anybody who can replicate what Tyler Adams does?

"He is different than others - there is nobody like Tyler. Other players are different, with different skills. In this case, we have all the players (replacements) ready.

"As you can see in the last games we played, we started with Tyler and Marc. The game before, we started with Tyler and Weston. We have other players waiting for their chance - maybe this is their moment. I'm sure all of them are ready to compete at a high level."

Liam Cooper has been called up to the Scotland squad, does that mean he is available for Wolves this weekend?

"Liam has been out of the team for some time, now he is with the team. He can do many things on the pitch but he is very important out of the pitch. His personality can help us in this moment. He's ready."

You have experience against Julen Lopetegui, what is he like and how does he like to play football?

"All of my experience against Wolves, there were always really demanding - very demanding - games. This time will be no different. In my opinion, they are playing well, a well-organised team with good players.

"I expect a very demanding game but, at the same time, I want a good result for us as well. This is different teams, different teams, different moments, it is not a good reference. I prefer to prepare and think in a different way."

Your preparation for Brighton was unusual, but it worked, have you prepared in a similar way for this way?

"Every game is different and the preparation as well. We know the way Brighton were playing before playing us. In this case, they can manage different shapes and players. The team has worked well this week and prepared very well again."

Patrick Bamford got on the scoresheet. He’s had injury problems but can get his 50th league goal this weekend. Is he approaching anywhere near back to his best?

"The last game, I had to control the minutes Patrick was on the pitch, the same way I did with Rodrigo and Luis Sinisterra, because they are players with different injuries.

"What I saw from Patrick was good. He helped the team, scored a good goal, with good movement up front and gave chances for other players. I expect the best from him for the rest of the season."

Is somebody like Darko Gyabi in the under-21s somebody who feel might come into the first-team squad while Tyler Adams is absent?

"Darko is one option, the same way Archie (Gray). These players are usually training with us in that position. Now we have Marc, Archie, Darko and Weston. They usually train as midfielders. We will have to take the decision for the next games if Tyler is out.

"We have some players as well that, in some moments of their careers, played as a central midfielder. But I will take the best decision, thinking only what is best for the team."

Are either Patrick Bamford or Rodrigo able to play 90 minutes this weekend?

"It's something I have to speak about with the doctor tomorrow (whether they can play 90 minutes). They are improving, but I cannot tell you exactly."

Stuart Dallas suffered a very serious injury last season, we all keen to know how he is getting on. Your predecessor said there was hope he could play this season. Could you give fans an update?

"When I arrived, there were players like Stuart, Adam Forshaw as well, out of the team. At this moment, they are working to recover but they are working out of the team (setup).

"I cannot tell you much information about them. Of course, I want all of them ready as soon as possible but, in this case, I'm not sure the time need for them to be back in the team."

Rasmus Kristensen was left out of the Denmark squad. What’s your style in dealing with situations like that?

"I understand perfectly. If you don't play, you have to be disappointed but, at the same time, I have to tell you his attitude is an example for all of the players.

"Always smiling, always trying to help the team. When we played Fulham and we didn't have centre-backs, he was the first to offer. He said 'I will do it, I only have one target, that is to help the team.'

"It is something I give a great value (towards) and I want everyone to know how professional he is."

Some of the fans were frustrated with the way you approached the Brighton game. Is that something we may see again in certain situations?

"What I can tell you is I understand someone was frustrated, we are as well, because we only got a point. But the way we did it is something, for me, the players deserve credit for.

"They did it really well. In some moments, when we were losing, some people, me as well, thought 'we need to press higher and be more aggressive' but I know what happens when you press these teams high and you are not good at pressing man to man in opposition halves.

"After watching many games and studying the team a lot, we decided to do this. For me, what is important is that the players follow the plan until the end. They were faithful until the end.

"I believe in these players. They are going to do what we think is better for the team. That is really important. We only got a point, I know… we need all the points in all of the games.

"In the next game, maybe we can be more aggressive. I’m not going to tell you the plan, of course. I like to see my players pressing high, I like to see my players recovering balls in the opposite half - but we need a balance. And that is what we are working on every day."

Does a lack of options make your job harder?

"If we had more options, it is better. But I don’t complain that Tyler is out. I don’t complain if I have to see the minutes Rodrigo can play etc. I have enough players to compete.

"Thinking this way, we have to get the points that are in play. We have to get the three points. That is our mentality. We have enough players, very good players, and all of them are ready to give their best."

Do you like the dress of a relegation battle? Do you thrive off it?

"I don't relax… I live stressed! I feel the stress inside. I think this is the best thing I can do. The best way for me to help the players is (by) giving them confidence.

"They need the calmness to play the best way. I won't help them if I'm stressed and shouting a lot. It is not my way. Inside, for sure, I suffer a lot. But I try to give my players what they need.

"In this moment, they need confidence and support. They are showing me every day their quality and commitment."

How do you relax away from football?

"I don't have any time away from football. I live at the training ground! Twelve hours here. The rest is to have dinner and rest at the hotel. No time for other things.

"Yesterday, I watched the Premier League games, both games and, afterwards, asleep. I speak to my family on the phone and that is all."

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