Leeds United vs Leicester City press conference updates: Daniel Farke reveals Bamford, Byram and Struijk latest — YEP 21/2/24

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke hosts his pre-match press conference at Thorp Arch this afternoon ahead of the Whites' top-two encounter with league leaders Leicester City this Friday.

By Joe Donnohue

Leeds' fixture schedule has not been kind throughout February but United have still claimed maximum points from each of their games, ever since the turn of the year. Farke's side are unbeaten but face their sternest test this weekend as Leicester visit Elland Road.

The Foxes were beaten on their own patch earlier this season, but still hold a nine-point lead over United at the summit of the Championship table. That said, Enzo Maresca's side were defeated by Middlesbrough last weekend, allowing Leeds to close the gap to top spot with victory over Plymouth Argyle.

Patrick Bamford, Sam Byram and Pascal Struijk all sat out the win on the south coast through injury although Farke is expected to provide an update on the trio this afternoon, with the possibility that Bamford or Byram could return to the matchday squad this Friday.

Farke on timing strong runs in the league and added focus in the final straight

It's important to take extra motivation and focus but not to be overexcited and over-motivated. Sometimes you can be overexcited and burn a bit too early. I think it's important to find a good balance. We want to be even more on it, but there is still another gear to find when it's really necessary.

Farke on title vs promotion

Yes, that's the basic target and most important target. It's nice to lift some silverware, thank God I've got it, it's a famous league but the main topic is [promotion] the same. You are playing in the Premier League next season. I remember we were promoted as title winners at Norwich, everyone was celebrating us, then we were promoted and decided to pay for the sins of the past and don't invest in infrastructure and didn't have the money to invest in the squad. During this season, Aston Villa used the play-offs to go back to the big time, they won less points but they were able to spend £150m in the summer and £40m in the winter and save Premier League status on the last game-day. The title didn't help us in the next season, but it's nice to have something in the cupboard and a nice feeling to lift the trophy.

Farke on Bamford

Patrick is always desperate to play, he would come with one leg in order to play, but so do all my players. He is highly motivated to return back to the squad. We won't do anything stupid. We also need him for the upcoming games because he was crucial in the last games for us. He's also experienced a lot to do nothing stupid, we'll see how the next 48 hours develop.

Farke on Ampadu in centre-back and Gruev in centre-mid

During this spell they were crucial in their positions but it doesn't take anything away, Ethan was also fantastic in the holding midfielder role. Pascal was outstanding when he was fit and Ethan higher up the pitch. Shouldn't take anything away from Ilia or Ethan's performances. I think overall this consistency is especially due to our work on the training pitch. Small details and just a few per cent can make a huge difference in football. The longer we are working against the ball, to be absolutely compact, to defend set pieces in a proper way, the more time we have together the easier it is to improve. Also the same in possession and with the ball. This consistency and to not have too many changes is beneficial.

Farke on rest for players since Plymouth

It was also important for 2-3 days to leave them a bit alone in terms of too much information. It's always complicated to prepare for a Leicester game, we start today and tomorrow to focus on this. And also the first days after the Plymouth game were recovery. If you're burning a candle from both sides, pretty quick the candle is done. We want to be there with a winning mentality. It is still important when there is still a chance to give them a rest from a mental point of view, to do this and it's what we have done.

Farke on lessons from last game

I would like to do the same, we won the last game, clean sheet, dominant with our pressing and looked rock solid when we had to defend. We would like to repeat this. We have to take into account they've changed their principles and processes slightly. Personnel differences you have to prepare in a slightly different manner. I don't judge it a chess game where I have to be there with a magic thought. You have to do something different sometimes but be pragmatic and help your team, it's not all about you and your decision-making. Sometimes if you change too much from your own setup and own way, it's a bit like a flag in the wind. I'm not a believer in this, it's still a players' game, the manager should be on top and in charge and on the front foot but not be in the spotlight himself.

Farke on players spotting tactical alterations

I trust my players and also we prepare them for different scenarios. We work with them on the training pitch on this. It's also important for me and my coaching staff to be spot on, that the players can also focus on the base work and not overthink too many things in tactical terms. It's important I stay focused and switched on to realise what happens on the pitch, if they change their principles, processes or base formation. We are working in a way that the players because such an atmosphere, it will be loud and noisy, I can't tell them to play this pass and that pass. Again, I am responsible for this and don't want to overload my players, they should concentrate on the base work but also I hope to prepare them in a perfect way.

Farke on embracing the occasion

Yes I differ in my judgement. On one hand I judge it one of 46 games. It has the same value as the Rotherham or Plymouth games, just another occasion to win one or three points. It's important not to lose your calm or cool. On the other hand it's a bit special game, it's not like we're not thinking about the table, we just want to prove yourself and challenge yourself against the best possible opponent. The best opponent we can face at Elland Road because they are top of the table. We want to show we are capable of playing the same level or even better. I'm not too focused on myself, it's not a chess game between two managers, I want to help my team be successful. I don't judge myself too important for this game. The main stage is for the players, I want to help them be in the spotlight.

Farke on jeopardy of Leicester match

I was never too concentrated on the point gap to Leicester. Even now I'm not too bothered by it. They have still a great point tally and everything is in their hands. What I like a lot is our consistency and our performance level and in improving our point average. We want to ride this momentum further. I spoke quite openly about the situation, even if we win this game, this side [Leicester] will still finish in the top two. We want to achieve a special amount of wins to finish in the best possible position, but there's a lot of work to do.

Farke on best team in the Championship

The team who wins the title is the best and most consistent. At the moment you have to say credit to Leicester, otherwise they wouldn't be in position one. I know we had a bit difficult start, and since this we have collected even more points than them and closed this point gap.

Farke on catching Leicester/momentum

We want to use our momentum, we have top consistency so far, in terms of performances and results, how we've defended, only conceded one goal in the league in 2024. Created many chances, scored many goals, won every league game, into the next round of the cup. It's a bit spotlight game but it's another chance to win the next points. We know we probably face the toughest opponent in the league at the moment - but so do Leicester. Very interesting game for the outside world, and the pundits and media and our supporters. For us it's just another chance to add more points. We want to use this moment.

Farke on Struijk

Positive, he's allowed to extend his training load. The doctors mentioned over 2-2.5 weeks we have to build him up a bit. If everything works in the perfect way, he can be back in team training, then available for games after the international break.

Farke is here

Jaidon Anthony is back in training, available. Karl [Darlow] is back in main parts of team training, not far away to being reinvolved. Good news for him. Injury time for him is over. With Sam [Byram] I expect him to be back in training next week. With Patrick it's developed in a positive way, much better in the past days. We still have 48 hours, he hasn't trained with the team yet, we have tomorrow's session he could be involved. At least he could be a topic for the squad. He definitely will be available for next week.