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Blood, snow & espionage — Square Ball 28/8/26

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Written by: Rob Conlon Behind the curtain “This was one of the greatest performances I have seen from any team,” Don Revie said after Leeds’ 0-0 draw at Torino secured qualification from the club’s first ever European tie in October 1965. “They proved themselves real professionals. They have given everything and have not got an ounce left.” United had won 2-1 in the first leg at Elland Road, refereed by a certain Michel Kitabdjian. In Turin, they held on for the final forty minutes while down to ten men after Bobby Collins had his thighbone shattered by a tackle from Fabrizio Poletti. Jack Charlton responded to the challenge by punching any Torino player who tried to move his captain on the floor, while Billy Bremner told Poletti, “I’ll kill you for this.” ‘In adversity they fought every inch of the way and were magnificent,’ wrote Eric Stanger in The Yorkshire Post. ‘It was one of the greatest victories in Leeds United’s history.’ Even the Italian press expressed their admirat...
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England's number two! — Square Ball 28/8/26

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Ours, not theirs Written by: David Guile The moonshot paid off. James Trafford is a Leeds United player. From Felix Wiedwald to the world’s fourth most expensive goalkeeper in nine short years. It’s been quite a ride. I won’t waste many words describing how good James Trafford is. We’ve all seen it. Eleven Championship clean sheets in a row at a time when Burnley seemed fated never to concede another goal. There was an aura of invincibility around Trafford at the time, extending far beyond his two metre tall frame. He elevated a run-of-the-mill Burnley team into the machine that ground out a hundred points and came within seconds of wresting the Championship title out of our grasp. And now he’s ours. All ours, at least for now. If Trafford continues on his current trajectory, it’s only a matter of time before international recognition follows. At 23 and with one tour of World Cup duty under his belt already, he has Jordan Pickford’s position firmly in his sights. Surely this ...
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Daniel Farke's transfer message for Leeds United decision-makers with 'have to improve' demand — YEP 27/8/26

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By Kyle Newbould Leeds United have less than one week to conclude their transfer business. Daniel Farke insists there are still areas of the Leeds United squad that need improving ahead of a long Premier League campaign. Leeds have six days to conclude any summer business before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Tuesday September 1. The Whites have welcomed four new faces through the door, with £8.5million centre-back Nico Elvedi the latest to impress in the recent 2-0 Carabao Cup win at Nottingham Forest. But a top-quality left-winger is still wanted, as evidenced by interest in Igor Paixao and Mykhailo Mudryk among others, while other positions including striker and left-back are lacking depth. Farke admits he’s never had a window in which every wish was granted but hinted at a positive final few days in the market. Asked how confident he is of getting everyone he needs before Tuesday’s deadline, Farke said: “Not at all, because I mentioned before there was never a ...
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Oliver Glasner apology, viral celebration & Ethan Ampadu frustration in Leeds United off-camera moments vs Forest — YEP 26/8/26

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By Kyle Newbould Good day, bad day and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s Carabao Cup win at the City Ground. Leeds United booked their place in the Carabao Cup third round thanks to Tuesday night’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest. Second-half goals from Daniel James and James Justin capped off another solid performance at the City Ground. Here’s the YEP take... Good day Nico Elvedi As centre-back debuts go, they don’t get much better than that for recent arrival Nico Elvedi. The £8.5m signing has probably spent as much time at the City Ground as Thorp Arch during his first week as a Leeds player and already looks at home in Daniel Farke’s side. Elvedi started between Joe Rodon and Tarik Muharemovic on Tuesday, given the unenviable task of scrapping with Chris Wood. Barring a counter-attack nutmeg, the Leeds defender won that fight and also had the composure to play some lovely passes. Farke nominated Elvedi for Player of the Match and it was as hard to look past the 29-ye...
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Nico Elvedi debut hints at Leeds United transfer truth while Dan James answers nine-month question — Leeds Live 26/8/26

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Two Leeds United players caught the eye vs Nottingham Forest with encouraging clarity emerging Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Daniel Farke has his second League Cup win of his Leeds United tenure and has already got double bubble over Nottingham Forest this season. It’s worth remembering that Leeds only won away at two Premier League clubs in normal time throughout the last season. Of course, these are against the same opponent but that is two victories away at a top-flight club. The level of performance in itself was described as “outstanding” by Daniel Farke, who is pleased with how quickly his new signings have bedded in. Leeds were the dominant team in all areas on Tuesday and deserved the win. The victory also keeps momentum going into Sunday at home against Brentford and builds the positivity around the club. Leeds have been good so far - but it could be even better, should they find the attackers they really want. Elvedi excels on debut Nico Elvedi had an almo...
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Daniel Farke lauds 'outstanding' Leeds United debut performance vs Nottingham Forest as expectation clear — YEP 25/8/26

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By Kyle Newbould Leeds United’s fourth summer signing impressed on debut at the City Ground. Daniel Farke expected nothing less than a Player of the Match performance from Leeds United debutant Nico Elvedi at Nottingham Forest. Elvedi made his first appearance in Leeds colours during Tuesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win at the City Ground, replacing Jaka Bijol as one of six changes. The 29-year-old started between Joe Rodon and Tarik Muharemovic in a back three, playing the full 90 minutes. And he didn’t look like a debutant in the side, defending aggressively and showing an early understanding of what Farke wants from him. The Leeds boss was happy with the Swiss international’s first showing which had him in with a shot for Player of the Match. “Yes, we had probably a few candidates for man of the match today,” Farke said. “Nico is definitely one of them because there was such a performance after just being with us for a few days is outstanding. Against a physical striker like [Chr...
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Leeds do the double over Nottingham Forest — Mail 25/8/26

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Daniel Farke's side win at the City Ground for the second time in just FOUR days with Carabao Cup triumph - and Liam Delap cannot come quickly enough for new boss Oliver Glasner By JAMES SHARPE Liam Delap cannot come quickly enough for Nottingham Forest. Two games into Oliver Glasner’s reign at the City Ground, two defeats to Leeds United, and zero goals. He started three strikers and they still couldn’t score. And, so, for the second time in four days, Daniel Farke’s team came to town and took full advantage of a team still trying to find their new identity. First for three points on Saturday, now for a place in the League Cup third round. Daniel James was afforded the freedom of West Bridgford all evening and fittingly gave Leeds the lead before James Justin bundled in a second after a long throw caused chaos in the Forest box. Glasner’s side, once again, looked in desperate need of new blood. Thankfully, news emerged a few hours before kick-off that Forest had agreed a...
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