Mighty Leeds Weblog

Leeds United’s away form continues to be a problem as they head into 2024 and the joy of their recent win over Ipswich Town has been quickly forgotten. By Graham Smyth For the first time under Daniel Farke the Whites have lost consecutive games, going down 2-1 at Preston North End and 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion. That makes it one win in five games for Leeds and there are now three sides at least six points ahead of them in the Championship. Here’s the YEP take on what transpired at The Hawthorns, when Farke went up against ex-Leeds coach Carlos Corberan. Good day: Joe Rodon One of those who stood up and at least held down his job. The defender tried to bring some progression to the performance from the back, and he was wholehearted in his defensive effort, despite looking to be struggling with a knock in the second half. Bad day: Joel Piroe This was another one of those games for Piroe, one of those that passes him by without anything like the impact he's capable of. T...

Legendary manager appointed an OBE for services to football and charity Legendary Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson has been named in the 2024 New Year Honours List, alongside a host of sporting stars, including former Leeds Rhinos players Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield. Wilkinson, who celebrated his 80th birthday last month, has been appointed an OBE for his services to football and charity, including his current work as chairman of the League Managers Association. The last English manager to win the top flight, Wilkinson joined Leeds in October 1988 from Sheffield Wednesday, going on to revolutionise the club from top to bottom, over the course of the following eight years. Wilkinson led the Whites to promotion in his first full season in charge, topping the 1989/90 Second Division (now Championship), before watching his side be crowned 1991/92 First Division (now Premier League) champions. Leeds would follow this up by lifting the 1992 Charity Shield, playing in the Cha...

Leeds United will exit 2023 with sensations that have been all too familar after a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion. By Graham Smyth It's a good job football is lived in seasons rather than calendar years. 2023 has been, in the overall balance, none too kind to Leeds United, bringing with it a painful and calamitous relegation. What ups there were struggled to match the downs for significance. A new ownership era and new management, in the shape of Daniel Farke, introduced hope for the second half of 2023 and beyond, but it felt depressingly on brand for 2023 that it ended in defeat and frustration. The manager has been inundated with calls to make changes to his starting XI in recent weeks, having stuck so sturdily to a favoured line-up and after the defeat by Preston North End he acquiesced, partly out of obligation. Illan Meslier's three-match suspension for violent conduct brought Karl Darlow in between the sticks for a first Championship start in Leeds colours. Lia...

Daniel Farke lamented Leeds United’s inability to turn good positions into good chances and a refereeing decision that went against them in a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion. By Graham Smyth The Whites suffered a third defeat in five games and their fourth away loss by a 1-0 scoreline this season, after struggling to break down yet another stubborn and organised defence. Farke rang the changes, making five in all including the enforced replacement of the suspended Illan Meslier and the injured Pascal Struijk. In came Sam Byram, Ilia Gruev and Willy Gnonto, along with Karl Darlow and Liam Cooper. But while Leeds should have had at least one penalty in the first half, they drew just the one save of note from Alex Palmer in the Baggies goal and conceded a soft one at the other end. Jed Wallace was given the freedom of the Black Country on the right wing and his cross was tucked in at the second attempt by Grady Diangana. Farke threw on more attackers in the second half and Leeds ...

Leeds United’s hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship suffered another blow as they were beaten 1-0 by West Brom at the Hawthorns. Grady Diangana’s 37th-minute goal was enough to give former Leeds coach Carlos Corberan back-to-back home wins and inflict a second consecutive loss on Daniel Farke’s side, who have won one of their last five games and trail second-placed Ipswich by nine points. And they did little to suggest they could come back from Diangana’s fifth goal of the season as they failed to test West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer. But they were perhaps unfortunate not to win a 30th-minute penalty for Cedric Kipre’s challenge on Wilfried Gnonto. Leeds settled quicker and had the ball in the net in the 16th minute when Sam Byram swept home Joel Piroe’s cross on the volley, but the full-back had strayed a yard offside. West Brom were denied the opening goal in the 23rd minute with their first serious attack. Djed Spence cleared Kipre’s low volley off the lin...

When it comes to judging Patrick Bamford's happiness at Leeds United, Daniel Farke cannot read the striker's mind but he can be informed by what he sees behind the scenes. By Graham Smyth A puff of the cheeks and a somewhat rueful look from Bamford to the camera as he entered Elland Road for the Ipswich Town game was picked up on, because it was enough to be picked up on. That kind of body language, on its own, might mean nothing at all and yet when combined with Bamford's recent tendency to go straight down the tunnel instead of around the pitch, it felt like something. Maybe. Would it be such a surprise if the 30-year-old was not skipping off the bus and grinning inanely on his way into work, given how things have gone for him. The injuries, the lack of goals, the lack of joy, the relegation, the lack of game time and opportunity. And the abuse, criticism that went way beyond what is remotely acceptable and veered distinctly into vindictive, targeted bullying and di...

Leeds United face a swift return to action after Boxing Day’s disappointment at Deepdale with Friday night’s trip to West Brom, ahead of which boss Daniel Farke has held his pre-match press conference. By Lee Sobot Leeds lined up for Boxing Day’s lunchtime kick-off at Deepdale sat third and just seven points adrift of the division’s second automatic promotion place occupied by Ipswich Town. Leeds, though, suffered a 2-1 reverse which led to the Whites dropping down to fourth place after a fresh boost for promotion rivals Southampton who walloped Swansea City 5-0 at St Mary’s. The win put the Saints three points ahead of fourth-placed Leeds who are now eight points behind second-placed Ipswich Town who left it late to bag a 1-1 draw from Boxing Day’s late game at home to leaders Leicester City who are now 14 points ahead of the Whites. For Leeds, a Friday night trip to fifth-placed West Brom is next on the agenda as the Whites face a side just one position and six points below t...

Daniel Farke has explained Pascal Struijk’s Leeds United penalties standing and his annoyance in a Whites “karma” claim. By Lee Sobot Farke’s side were awarded an 82nd-minute spot kick in Boxing Day’s Championship clash at Preston North End as they chased an equaliser in being both a goal and man down after ‘keeper Illan Meslier’s dismissal. Despite the presence of several Whites attackers, centre-back Struijk stepped up to take United’s penalty before producing a finish that any striker would have been proud of, sending keeper Freddie Woodman the wrong way to draw his side level. Struijk’s conversion put Leeds on course to take a point that Farke said his side would have deserved, only to then concede again in the 89th minute to a fine goal from standout player Liam Millar who beat Archie Gray before firing home into the top right corner of the net It meant Farke’s side ultimately left with a 2-1 defeat but the Whites boss labelled Preston’s late winner as a form of “karma” ...

NO GETTING AWAY Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman Festive blessings to Illan Meslier, because it’s a while since anyone did something this idiotic in a Leeds United shirt. There has been plenty of stupidity at Leeds over the last couple of years, but most of the time we could point to someone in a suit, or a duffel coat, or stressfully tight jeans as the instigator. Some of the management fixated crowd among modern football fandom will still make corporate complaints after this defeat, arguing from among key performance indicators that resources should have been better allocated to mitigate risk in the club’s goalkeeping department. But they’re looking in the wrong direction. This was personal. Happy Christmas Illan, you daft sod. Meslier’s fractional loss of temper when he was challenged for a high cross was spotted and seized upon by Preston’s players, and the television replays break it down like a nature documentary. Let David Attenborough talk you through it: the momen...

Leeds United endured a Boxing Day to forget at Preston North End which presented a bad day for most Whites men but not all of them. By Lee Sobot Here is the YEP’s take and a few off-camera moments. Bad Day Illan Meslier Leeds were disappointing in the first half but it ultimately ended goalless, giving the Whites every chance of sorting things out after the interval and leaving with all three points. A particularly good Meslier save helped keep the score goalless in the first 45 minutes but the Frenchman then undid all of his earlier good work with the moment of madness that led to his red card. The reaction of Preston’s Milutin Osmajic to Meslier putting his hand in his face was extreme to say the least but any player raising their hands to an opposing player’s race is running a big risk and Meslier paid the price. He can have no complaints and his red card cost his team dearly with the complexion of the game then completely changing. The Frenchman is also now looking at a t...

Leeds United have one area they must improve if they want to make up ground on the automatic promotion spots. By Jamie Kemble Leeds United have suffered a fresh blow in their automatic promotion chase, but they already know what they need to correct if they want to make up ground on those above. Daniel Farke's men thought they had set themselves up for the perfect festive period after beating Ipswich Town in the final game before Christmas. That win reduced the gap to seven points, but the Whites suffered a defeat away to Preston North End on Boxing Day, and Ipswich drew with leaders Leicester City to regain a point. Eight points now separate Leeds, who have dropped to fourth place, from second spot, and they go up against serious play-off contenders West Brom in the Midlands on Friday. But as the New Year approaches, Farke and his coaching staff don't need to do a whole lot of research to uncover one of Leeds' biggest problem. While the Whites sit near the top in b...

Leeds United came away empty-handed from their Boxing Day encounter with Preston North End and will be without first-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier for the next three matches after the Frenchman was shown a straight red card. By Joe Donnohue Gone are the days of teenagers reaching into their stockings on Christmas Day and plucking from the depths a 'Now That's What I Call Music' CD. Of the 5,700 away fans at Deepdale on December 26, there will have been several who can recall that exact memory from their formative years. It was a different kind of blast from the past they were dealt on Boxing Day this year as Leeds, buoyed by their recent exploits against Ipswich Town, faltered away to one of the division's poorer attacking sides - their wounds largely self-inflicted. Now That's What I Call The Championship. United fans have their own, much simpler phrase for this sort of thing: 'Leeds, that'. Illan Meslier's needless sending off, Liam Millar...

Here are our four talking points from Leeds United's 2-1 loss to Preston North End at Deepdale in the Championship as a Pascal Struijk penalty does not prove enough to salvage match after Illan Meslier red card Darlow and changes at West Brom Everyone outside Leeds United will get, and need, the next 24 hours to work the Preston North End loss out of their system. After all of the hype, excitement and optimism of Saturday’s Ipswich Town thrashing, Boxing Day’s deflation landed like a hammer blow. Outside the bubble, there will be time for the emotional hangover to subside before everyone has the clarity to look more rationally at the league table, the 22 games still to be played and the possibilities still open to the Whites. Daniel Farke and his players will have no such luxury. Even before the team coach left Deepdale, the manager would have been mulling over what he needs to do in order to win Friday’s game at The Hawthorns. How many changes dare he consider? Farke has...

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke was reluctant to criticise versatile teenager Archie Gray who endured a difficult afternoon against Preston North End on Boxing Day. By Joe Donnohue Gray's direct opponent Liam Millar had a hand in both Preston's goals at Deepdale as Leeds were shocked by the mid-table side after demolishing Ipswich Town days earlier - a game in which Gray in particular excelled from right-back. Seventeen-year-old Gray started in defence once again, as has been the case since the beginning of October, but found an individual battle against the flighty, more experienced Millar, on loan at Deepdale from Swiss side FC Basel, one he could not win. Millar's cross was turned in by the head of North End skipper Alan Browne shortly after Illan Meslier had been sent off during the second half, after cutting in from the flank he shared with Gray. Then, during the final stages of the match, Millar's infield run and curling finish from 25 yards clinched all th...

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke was disappointed with the reaction by Milutin Osmajic to Illan Meslier's right-arm swipe which saw the French goalkeeper shown a straight red card. By Joe Donnohue The Whites were reduced to ten men shortly after the beginning of the second half as Meslier was penalised for raising his hands to the Preston forward. After the team's eventual 2-1 defeat at Deepdale, Farke bemoaned the reaction by North End forward Osmajic but admitted he could not complain too vehemently due to the nature of his goalkeeper's indiscretion. "He catches the cross and he gets the first knock from the first player," Farke began. "And the second player who has nothing to do with the situation runs over [from] 10 or 15 yards and gives Illan a hard knock against his body because he just wants to provoke something. Illan reacts then the player goes down, rolls around ten times after a little movement of Illan - it's just what he wanted. ...

Nicknamed 'The Iceman', Illan Meslier's rush of blood cost Leeds United dearly in a damaging defeat at Preston North End. By James O'Brien The Leeds goalkeeper's cool head deserted him in a 53rd-minute flashpoint that gave out-of-form Preston the impetus they needed to take control of a contest that was going nowhere. After claiming a cross, Meslier went head to head with Ben Whiteman before shoving Milutin Osmajic in the face. The Preston frontman fell to the ground and referee Josh Smith wasted no time in brandishing the red card to leave Leeds down to 10 men and wondering what had come over their number one. United rallied and appeared to have earned a point when Pascal Struijk tucked away a late penalty, only for Liam Millar to crown a virtuoso performance with a stunning winner a minute from time. Millar had laid on the opening goal for Alan Browne in the 57th minute with a pinpoint cross before Karl Darlow had even settled in for his first league s...

A full transcript of Daniel Farke's pre-match Leeds United press conference ahead of taking on Preston North End on Boxing Day. By Joe Donnohue Looking ahead to Preston, the scoreline was great, but was that the best preparation for you? It was definitely alright. These three points won't help at all for the game at Preston. They play a completely different style of football than Ipswich. It’s a different approach and it's no coincidence they had such an impressive start, especially the home games, they play with lots of intensity, aggressiveness, pretty direct and you have to be ready for the battle. Especially after a bad result at home they will be even more on it at home, they know with a good performance against Leeds United they can win their momentum back. We have to be fully aware it will be a battle and ready for a completely different approach. It’s a dangerous side and it's a tough place to go. What do you do now for these three days? We are in a pe...

There was no snow but it was a perfectly white Christmas at Elland Road on Saturday as Leeds United blew Ipswich Town away in the first half. By Graham Smyth It was always possible that the Tractor Boys would come and play, which would give Leeds chances, but few saw such a one-sided beating going the way of the hosts. Here's the YEP take. Good day: Just about everyone This was a team performance. Leeds got in front, put their foot on Ipswich's neck and didn't ever take it off. They were devastating on the counter attack, physical in defence and passed the ball really well. So many fantastic individual performances across the pitch. Beating the team in second was the priority but getting another one over on his old rivals Ipswich, in front of a packed Elland Road, just before Christmas, had to feel good. Watching his football work so well and so effectively, for such a big three points, after the last two games, was huge. Sam Morsy Of course it wasn't a go...

TEST YOUR STRENGTH Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman This Leeds United team may not know its own strength yet, but there are signs that the players are learning and liking what they’re finding out. Ipswich Town, too, must have been wondering this season when or whether they’ll meet their limits. Perhaps their limits looked like this. Ipswich have been phenomenal for too long to be fluking it, only losing four times in League One last season, only three times this time in the Championship. But two of those defeats have been to Leeds, and Leeds have put eight goals past them, four each time. At Portman Road, Town came back with three. At Elland Road they looked beaten and lost when they were 3-0 down before half-time. That feels like progress for one of these teams. We’ll know more about whether it’s a setback for the other after they host Leicester on Boxing Day. Only Leeds have put four past Ipswich since Charlton did it, in October 2022; this was only the fifth time in two...