Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Joe Crann Sheffield Wednesday have completed the signing of Liam Cooper after he completed a medical at the club earlier today. The Star reported earlier today that the 34-year-old was due in at Middlewood Road ahead of his proposed move to the Owls, and now his arrival has been confirmed. He fills the first of two spots that the English Football League have given the club to sign free agents. “The Owls have signed experienced defender Liam Cooper on a contract until the end of the season, subject to international clearance,” they said this evening. “The centre back moves to S6 with over 400 career appearances under his belt, including international experience with Scotland. “Cooper began his career with hometown club Hull and spent time on loan with Carlisle, Huddersfield and Chesterfield as a young player. He later made the permanent switch to the Spireites, where he helped the club win the League Two title, earning promotion to League One in 2013/14. “A big move to Leed...

By Stuart Rayner Tony Dorigo hopes to see Leeds United emerge from the November international break showing more quality in their attacking play, but he thinks the most important thing is not to panic at a dip in results. Fortunately in Daniel Farke he sees a manager with the same calm qualities as the man who brought him to Elland Road, Howard Wilkinson. Back in the Premier League after two years away, the Whites started the season positively but lost four of their last five matches, scoring just three goals and conceding 12. It has dragged them into a pack of five teams directly above bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers who are separated by just five points, and the next four fixtures – Aston Villa at home, Manchester City away and Chelsea and Liverpool at home – are ominous. Former left-back Dorigo believes tricky spells like this were inevitable this season and with calls growing amongst sections of the fanbase for a change of manager, he believes the most important thi...

By Stuart Rayner Sheffield United have completed the short-term signing of Patrick Bamford. The 32-year-old striker has been a free agent since he was released by Leeds United in the summer after seven seasons at Elland Road, during which time he scored 60 goals. Bamford's last competitive start was against another of his former clubs, Middlesbrough, in an August 2024 League Cup tie so the Blades may have to be patient with his fitness, but manager Chris Wilder has voiced his frustration at the absence of a centre-forward who can hold the ball up in his squad. "Kieffer wanted to go and the new manager didn't feel he was part of the plan," said Wilder. "But I would have always been looking for a No 9." Tyrese Campbell has started every league game bar one this season, when he was a 61st-minute substitute at Blackburn Rovers. The Blades also have Danny Ings, Tom Cannon, powerful youngster Ryan One and Louie Barry, who usually operates as a wide att...

By Leon Wobschall FORMER Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is in talks to join Championship strugglers Sheffield United on a short-term basis until January. The ex-Middlesbrough forward left Leeds by mutual consent in late summer. Bamford, 32, scored 60 goals in 205 appearances after joining from Boro for £7m in 2018. He was involved in two promotion-winning campaigns for Leeds and scored 17 goals during the club's first stint back in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020 and later went onto represent England. But his final few years at the club were ravaged by injury, with manager Daniel Farke informing him he was not part of his plans if he remained at the club, where he had been contracted until next summer. During Sheffield United’s promotion season under Wilder during his first spell in charge in 2018-19, there had been tension in the run-in between Leeds and the Blades, including some comments made by Bamford. Following the Blades’ promotion and Lee...

Getting worse Written by: Rob Conlon The last time I visited the City Ground before Sunday was 2017. Thomas Christiansen was in charge of Leeds. Gjanni Alioski scored a banger in a 2-0 win. And the away end reclaimed the chant that had soundtracked the previous season’s collapse under Garry Monk. “Leeds are falling apart again.” Fast forward eight years, and I was back in almost exactly the same spot in the corner of the stadium, with Leeds fans singing exactly the same song, only this time it had been started by the home supporters. The last time Leeds United visited the City Ground, Jesse Marsch was sacked. I suspect the 49ers will not be quite so swift with a decision on Daniel Farke’s future. Partly because Leeds are still on the point per game average that has been the stated aim of the season. Partly because everything they have done during their time at the club — from taking it over, to hiring managers, to signing (or not signing) players — suggests they’re incapable of g...

By Graham Smyth The international break has not come at a good time for Leeds United. A pair of damaging defeats left Daniel Farke facing difficult questions and criticism over Leeds' defensive lapses and lack of creativity, prior to the two-week rest from Premier League football. Sunday's 3-1 loss at Nottingham Forest followed the 3-0 defeat at Brighton and in both games they gave runners the freedom of the area to score soft goals. And while both Brighton and Forest boast greater depth than Leeds in terms of individual quality and attacking firepower, the Whites didn't play well enough in possession to cause enough problems and create good enough chances. Lukas Nmecha's lovely finish opened the scoring at the City Ground but it was a rare moment of joy for a team that had more possession than their hosts in each game and created an Expected Goals of just 1.15 across both fixtures. Farke facing criticism Back-to-back defeats can come as no real surprise for a t...

Nestor Watach Leeds United boss Daniel Farke is now the firm favourite to become the next Premier League manager to lose his job after a dismal run of four defeats in their last five games. A particularly poor performance in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest leaves Leeds just one point above the relegation zone. There’s an ominous feeling that the club are only going one way after a promising start to life back in the top flight. We’ll be amazed if Farke’s still at Leeds come 2026. Here are five things the German must do if he’s to save his skin at Elland Road. Take some scalps Jesse Marsch famously bought himself a few more months in the Leeds job with a dizzying 2-1 victory away at Liverpool. The ultimate smash and grab. Senior figures at Leeds have since admitted that was a mistake, and they’d have given themselves a better chance of survival had they made a change before that season’s World Cup break. There might be a lesson in there for this Leeds board, with ...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United sit a point above the Premier League drop zone after Sean Dyche's Nottingham Forest did a number on them at the City Ground. Sunday's clash could not have gone much worse for Daniel Farke and Leeds, with slack marking yet again to blame for goals conceded and creativity seriously lacking at the other end. The YEP take on Forest 3-1 Leeds Good day: Sean Dyche. The Forest manager got exactly what he wanted and needed from his team. When he made his second half substitutions it felt like he was seizing upon some momentum and building on it. And not long after Leeds went behind. There was an air of inevitability about the result for the very same reasons that Forest fans felt so confident prior to the game. Forest feel like they're turning a corner and if they get their noses in front in a game you would back Dyche to do what it takes to secure vital wins. Trio’s bad day Bad day: Jaka Bijol. The centre-back let Morgan Gibbs-White go in t...

By Kyle Newbould The Leeds United striker's brilliant goal was overshadowed by another disappointing defeat at Nottingham Forest. Lukas Nmecha insists the Leeds United squad will ‘keep pushing together’ after another disappointing defeat on the road at Nottingham Forest. Leeds head into the November international break off the back of consecutive away defeats following Sunday’s 3-1 loss at the City Ground. The Whites went ahead early on through Nmecha but conceded a trio of sloppy goals to hand Forest just their second win of the season. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit enough only for the bench, Nmecha returned to the starting line-up for the first time since Everton and grabbed his second goal of the season with a clinical finish. Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson combined to feed the striker, who worked half a yard before arrowing a finish through the legs of Neco Williams and into the far bottom corner. But that advantage was forfeited two minutes later when Ibrahim Sang...

By Graham Smyth For the second time in Daniel Farke's Leeds United tenure a favourite song for opposition fans suddenly and worryingly took on a reasonable air. Very late on in the German's first season in charge at Elland Road their results and performance levels dipped enough to finally take them out of the automatic promotion race and leave them at the mercy of the play-offs. One win in six was enough to inject glee and credibility to the chants of 'Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.' A loss at Wembley meant a second crack at the Championship was required and though the song was heard on occasion last season it never rang true. Leeds won the title with 100 points as they kept themselves very much together and marched into the Premier League. But when Nottingham Forest fans belted out that Joy Division tune with their side 3-1 up there was no real defence to be mounted on Leeds United's behalf. A disjointed performance held no real promise or cohesion in ...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United's 3-1 loss at Nottingham Forest left them just one point above the Premier League relegation zone. Daniel Farke insists Leeds United are staying calm in the face of an angry response to back-to-back defeats as what he called 'small details' cost them at Nottingham Forest. Goals from Ibrahim Sangaré, Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson gave the Reds a 3-1 win over a Leeds side who struggled to create chances and yet again made defensive errors. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri parried the ball directly into Sangaré's path for the first, Jaka Bijol let Gibbs-White ghost in unmarked to head home the second and Jack Harrison gave away a penalty that Anderson dispatched late on. Leeds had taken the lead through Lukas Nmecha's clinical finish but found themselves pegged back within two minutes and rarely looked capable of scoring a second. The response from the away end was decidedly mixed, with some applause and plenty of angry gestures towa...

The match verdict on Leeds United's display vs Nottingham Forest in today's Premier League game Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Sometimes teams can get accused of not seeing the wood for the trees but Nottingham Forest showed that Leeds United need to start looking at the big picture. Daniel Farke often refers to statistics after away games, whether its xG, possession or corners. But ultimately, Leeds have picked up just three points from six away games this season. It took until 74 minutes before Farke made a change, by which time Forest had turned the game around to 2-1 by a Morgan Gibbs-White header. Leeds had gone ahead through a clinical Lukas Nmecha strike on 13 minutes but were pegged back just two minutes later when Ibrahima Sangare swept home a cut-back. Farke was left shaking his head by the end when substitute Jack Harrison brought down Omari Hutchinson in the box, allowing Elliot Anderson to smash home from the spot. Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri wa...

By Stuart Rayner Nottingham Forest 3 Leeds United 1 A sticky situation got much stickier for Leeds United at the weekend. Substitutions ensured that the scoreline at Nottingham Forest reflected the game, with Omari Hutchinson coming off the bench to make a goal and win a penalty for Nottingham Forest. It was almost poetic that Daniel Farke's gamble to throw Jack Harrison on as a makeshift left-back hammered the decisive nail in the coffin. Without the substitutions Sean Dyche made and Farke did belatedly, maybe Leeds might have got away with a below-par performance, although probably not. But given Forest a leg-up with their first Premier League win under Dyche has changed the complexion of a table which was looking much better a fortnight ago. Leeds remain on course for manager Farke's point-per-game target, but with games against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool after the international break, for how much longer? On Saturday they dropped to wi...

  Forest 2–1 Leeds | “Not Good Enough!” Reaction + Wilko’s Hall of Fame Honour & WILKO92 Event Preview 💬 Leeds fans — let’s hear your thoughts! Rob Endeacott & Dave Tomlinson discuss: ⚽ Forest 2–1 Leeds — early hope, then the usual frustrations 🟡 Refs, penalties, substitutions… and where the next point might come from 🏆 Howard Wilkinson’s induction into the Hall of Fame 🎉 The huge WILKO92 Celebration Lunch at Elland Road — 5 December 📚 NEW book news: Eddie Gray’s Leeds , The Howard Wilkinson Legacy , and Legacy 11 Books 🎨 Rob’s new Bielsa & Wilko murals 👇 Comment below: Where do you think Leeds go from here? Are you coming to the WILKO92 event? 👉 Subscribe for weekly Leeds United content, nostalgia, debate & WILKO92 updates! #MOT #LUFC #WILKO92 Leeds United fans — another week, another emotional rollercoaster! In this episode, Robert Endeacott and Dave Tomlinson (WILKO92) break down Leeds United’s 2–1 defeat to Nottingham Forest: the ear...

Robert McHugh Leeds United have made a decision over the campaign to honour Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson with a statue at the ground after the legendary manager received a prestigious honour. Howard Wilkinson is the only manager other than the legendary Don Revie to deliver the First Division title to Leeds, having steered the club to glory in the 1991/92 season. Having initially joined Leeds from Sheffield Wednesday in October 1988, Wilkinson led the team back into the top-flight after a period of wilderness in the Second Division. Wilkinson also led Leeds to a League Cup final in 1996, where they suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Aston Villa, which signalled the beginning of the end of his reign. Now, the club have decided to back the campaign for a permanent tribute to Wilkinson at Elland Road, after it was announced that he would be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. Leeds United back Howard Wilkinson statue campaign According to a...

The Leeds United icon will be bestowed the honour at Elland Road next month Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Legendary Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson is due to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame next month. The Whites hero remains the last English manager to win the top flight title, having guided United to the crown in 1992. Wilkinson, who was also the mind behind the Thorp Arch training ground which has birthed so many English talents, is being recognised for his contribution to the domestic game. The former Three Lions caretaker boss, 81, went on to hold roles at the Football Association - where he aided the construction of St George's Park, the new base for the national teams - and the League Managers' Association. The presentation of Wilkinson’s Hall of Fame induction will take place at half-time in the clash with Chelsea on Wednesday, December 3 at Elland Road. Leeds United have meanwhile formally thrown their support behind the...

Iconic manager recognised. Leeds United are thrilled to hear legendary manager Howard Wilkinson OBE will be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. The induction will take place at half-time during the club’s Premier League fixture with Chelsea at Elland Road on Wednesday 3rd December 2025, where Museum CEO Tim Desmond will present the award, recognising Howard’s remarkable contribution to English football both on and off the pitch. Leeds United are also delighted to announce support for the The Wilko92 Campaign to permanently honour Howard Wilkinson with a statue at Elland Road. Launched earlier this year and having already made a fantastic start to fundraising efforts, the club will now actively work with The Wiko92 Campaign to ensure Howard’s legacy is truly remembered. This begins with a tribute lunch for Howard on Friday 5th December at the Hisense Leeds Lounge at Elland Road, featuring a meet and greet with over 20 Leeds United Legends, the First Divisi...

Deals with the devil Written by: Rob Conlon Joe Rodon scrapped to win the ball on the edge of his penalty area, played a short pass to Brenden Aaronson, and carried on running forward. Aaronson took a touch and was immediately tackled, Rodon throwing his arms in the air in exasperation, ten yards ahead of the Leeds attacker. At least Sean Longstaff was alert to mop up any trouble, getting his foot in and nudging the ball this time towards Jayden Bogle. Under pressure, Bogle knocked it out for a throw-in with a slack first touch, sending Rodon chasing backwards as Brighton took it quickly and Leeds’ players were caught standing around trying to work out what was happening. United were trailing 1-0 at Brighton. There were still 77 minutes of the game to be played. And I knew we were fucked. Daniel Farke has a phrase he likes to use on days like this. “Slow in the head.” Leeds often got away with dozy performances like this in the Championship, their superior class eventually forcin...

By Graham Smyth The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton. Leeds United produced arguably their poorest performance of the season in a miserable 3-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion. The Whites were soft in key defensive moments and showed little to no quality in attack, creating very few chances and squandering any that did come their way. Though they failed to lay a glove on their hosts in the first half, they were still in the game at the break. But Brighton comfortably stretched ahead in the second half and cantered to victory. Here's the YEP take on Saturday’s fifth loss of the Premier League season. Good day Georginio Rutter The only man on the pitch with any Leeds affections who covered himself in any glory. Showed the ability that made him an Elland Road favourite, going past players with ease and set up a goal brilliantly. Didn't want to celebrate, also didn't want to do the wave with Brighton fans at the end a...

By Kyle Newbould Leeds United’s terrible recent record at Brighton continued as they fell to 16th in the Premier League. Leeds United endured another difficult 90 minutes on the road as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday. Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for the hosts inside 11 minutes before quickfire second-half brace from Diego Gomez effectively ended the contest. Daniel Farke named an unchanged side after last week’s 2-1 win over West Ham but Leeds found much less joy at the Amex Stadium and Brighton’s superior quality showed. Defeat sees the Whites drop a place to 16th and the YEP has reflected on a few key takeaways from the difficult day. Leeds United’s Brighton woes continue Another trip to the Amex, another defeat and another 90 minutes without scoring. Leeds’ recent record on the south coast is terrible and rarely on Saturday did they look like improving it. Brighton started quickly and got their rewards through Welbeck, and while Farke’s side enjoyed...