No excuses or 'cuddles' from Daniel Farke who tells his players not to 'crack under pressure' amid testing Championship time - Yorkshire Post 18/8/23
THE Darkest hour is just before the dawn.
By Leon Wobschall
The above phrase is likely to chime with Leeds United
manager Daniel Farke amid a turbulent summer so far with the German having
effectively found himself in the eye of a storm.
A mass raft of departures of senior players due to
contractual clauses has been compounded not just by the fact that three others
in Willy Gnonto, Luis Sinisterra and Helder Costa are currently ostracised from
the main training group and don’t want to play, but other factors too.
United's current injury absentee count is also high, while
they have endured travails in the transfer market.
Farke is confident things will change ahead of the summer
deadline in a fortnight's time with release clauses in the contracts of some
remaining players having also expired. For now, they must batten down the
hatches and fight on.
Commendably, the 46-year-old - seeking a relieving maiden
Championship win in charge of United against West Brom this evening - is not
feeling sorry for himself.
He is making the best of a difficult situation and he will
not tolerate any of his players looking for excuses either.
The former Norwich City chief will also be minded to recall
his time at Carrow Road when the Canaries shrugged off modest starts to the
season to come on strong when it mattered and secure promotion in 2018-19 and
2020-21.
No two scenarios are the same of course. But it at least
suggests that Farke can cope with adversity and be trusted to. His players must
also.
He said: "I have not just written a book where I can
just read it and say: 'ok it works in this way.'
"You always have to react because each and every
situation is slightly different. But experience also helps from similar
situations.
"Openness and honesty is one point, but the second
thing is that you stick to your principles and rules and don't crack under
pressure.
"You stick to your values and don't let the standard
drop in training and say: 'ok it's a difficult situation, I could do with
perhaps not being focused in training and with a bit less work-load.
"I set the bar for our values at an unbelievably high
mark. You need to show steel and resilience at this moment. At least, that's my
way to handle such a situation.
"It's not like they get a cuddle each and every day and
my arms around their shoulders.
"Yes, it's quite normal at times, but they are
professional footballers and lead a privileged life. They (should) want a lot
of work and this is how we want to go with the group."
Should United's players, particularly their less experienced
ones, get through this sticky period, then it should stand them in good stead
in terms of their careers.
A step in the right direction against Albion, whose head
coach Carlos Corberan was considered for the Leeds job in early summer, might
just help in that regard.
Farke continued: "As a young player, you always learn
from each and every situation.
"If I am honest, I could have also done with developing
young players without such a contractual situation (with certain players). But
each and every experience always helps.
"Under these circumstances, they can sometimes grow.
But it's also important right now that step by step, we get a bit more
certainty within the group and calmness.
"Because I think an atmosphere where young players can
concentrate on football and develop in football terms (helps) and I am looking
forward to having a bit more of a quiet time."
That is only likely to arrive in early September when the
transfer window has closed and the first international break of 2023-24 begins.
Only then will Farke truly know what he is working with.
