Daniel Farke highlights particular vulnerability with German happy to accept FA fine - YEP 23/8/23
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke acknowledges that his young team need the support of Whites fans during a difficult period on the pitch.
By Joe Donnohue
The team are yet to pick up their first league win of the
campaign and visit table-topping Ipswich Town this weekend in search of three
points.
Speaking after his team’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion
last Friday, Leeds boss Farke recognised the role supporters have to play in
arresting the side’s current slow start and which members of the squad in
particular feed off the gladiatorial atmosphere on the terraces at Elland Road.
Leeds have one of the younger squads in the Championship,
featuring the likes of 17-year-old Archie Gray, 19-year-old Leo Hjelde,
21-year-olds Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville and Joe Gelhardt, as well
as fellow youngsters Cody Drameh, Charlie Cresswell and Ethan Ampadu – all of
whom are 23-and-under.
It is this particular age group Farke says are boosted by
Elland Road’s support even when things aren’t going smoothly on the pitch.
"These supporters are second to none in this country
because when they are needed the most, they are always there to deliver.
"Even today, I think many, many compliments to our
supporters because we need them, our young lads need them.
"For me I am experienced and old enough, I can handle
even when some supporters are not happy, that’s not a topic. But for our young
lads, to show such a support and carry them once we conceded the goal, they
felt our lads are disappointed.
"We have to be there to strengthen them and back them,
and they did,” Farke added.
The German also said he hopes to experience more victories
at Elland Road, and would have been on the pitch if Rutter’s late strike
against the Baggies had found the back of the net to clinch all three points,
suggesting he would have accepted the subsequent fine from the Football
Association for entering the field of play.
"Our lads responded on the pitch and it was like a
magical connection and I would have loved a late goal from Georgi with his
strike, I think I would have been on the pitch as well and with a fine, but I
would have celebrated today that’s for sure.
"If we go together with this togetherness with our
supporters, we will have many, many evenings where we can celebrate together
and I can handle the fine. I am looking forward to having such emotion.
"At the moment I just have many compliments for my
players but even more for our supporters.”
Leeds will be backed by a sell-out away allocation at
Portman Road this Saturday as the Whites take on newly-promoted Ipswich. The
Tractor Boys are aiming to make it four wins from four on their return to the
Championship and will see a Leeds side wounded by injuries and off-field
matters as a golden opportunity to claim a Premier League scalp in front of
their home crowd.
