Important Leeds United enjoyed Sunderland and Sheffield United wins but now back to the job in hand, says Daniel Farke — Yorkshire Post 28/2/25
By Stuart Rayner
Daniel Farke says it has been important for Leeds United to
enjoy two wins which have felt pretty monumental in this season's Championship
title race, but they must refocus again for the visit of West Bromwich Albion.
On consecutive Monday, the Whites came from behind to find
late wins against title rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United, pulling five
points clear at the top of the table with 12 games to play.
They felt like very big deals, and manager Farke said it was
important his players enjoyed them.
"These type of wins, against Sunderland and at Bramall
Lane, you have to enjoy," he argued. "This is good for the whole
mood, for the togetherness, for the self-belief when you know you can win tight
games.
"I think Sheffield (United) before were in the lead 23
times during the season, 20 times they won, three times a draw. They'd never
lost a game after being in the lead.
"At Bramall Lane, in front of an excited crowd buzzing
after a great start for them, we were able to find a way to turn this game and
it was deserved.
"It's great for the team spirit especially when before
the game you have a blow and you find out your captain (Ethan Ampadu) is
injured that badly, it says a lot about the spirit of the team and the
self-belief.
"Of course these types of wins are very important for
the confidence and for going forward. Of course we want to keep this momentum
further on."
But it is the nature of winning league titles that you can
never afford to ease up, and play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion, who held
the Whites to a draw in August's reverse fixture at the Hawthorns, are not to
be under-estimated.
"The next game after a big win is a really complicated
game," warned Farke. "I don't feel now it eases up.
"We had difficult games against Sunderland and
Sheffield (United) and were able to win these games in great fashion but right
now we face a pretty strong side with West Brom. I wouldn't say it's easier
than the last games.
"We played against Sunderland and we still know how
difficult this was. They are sitting in position four (in the Championship
table), West Brom are in position five so I wouldn't able them an easier
target.
"We have to keep on going, have be good in the decisive
moments, in the small details again and we can't under-estimate any details of
the game.
"So I'm not going to get carried away speaking about
(being in) a great shape or in our prime. We know we are in a really good shape
and have great momentum.