Every word Leeds United boss Daniel Farke said ahead of Preston North End clash as new injury revealed — YEP 24/12/23
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 period when sadly we have to go three weeks more
or less without a day off. Normally everyone wants to spend some time with
their family but I tell my players they lead a privileged life, this is the
price you have to pay sometimes. I don't want to hear any moans or something
like this. They have to be professional. We are in tomorrow, recovery session
for those involved, proper session for those not involved. For me and my staff,
preparing for Preston. Christmas day training, team meeting about the way they
play, travel to Preston and night in the hotel. Then you have to repeat
everything for the next games because it is the same turnaround. It's important
the players spend even more importance on their nutrition, sleep, good recovery
and habits. It's important in this festive period to win many points to finish
in a good position. For that we have to be professional.
Is this where you see the attitude of players and most
important ones not playing keep the pressure on and stay on that high level?
Yes, absolutely. Luke sadly had some knee problems, that was
why he wasn't in the squad. I hope he can return back pretty soon. The same
perhaps with Sam Byram, rehab looks good, so I hope he can perhaps return a bit
quicker. We'll see what the next days will bring. Jamie, I hope the same, that
he can be a topic in the next games and I hope Jaidon Anthony will be back
pretty soon. Illness can be two or three days, so normally pretty quickly back
in training. We need all the players right now. I think we won't start each and
every game with the same line-up with four games in nine and a half days. For
that, we need all the players in the squad in this festive period.
Can I ask about Patrick Bamford and his general demeanour?
Is he happy at Leeds right now?
Well, you have to ask Patrick, I can just judge what I see.
His attitude and behaviour in the dressing room and on the training pitch is
brilliant. He's so supportive, he talks with Georgie, Joel, especially Georgi
as he is still a young striker, always, Joffy to give some tips because of his
experience. If you'd ask these players they'd say it's brilliant to have a guy
like Patrick around. With his experience of the Championship, you can always
learn, I think it’s very beneficial and I can just praise his attitude and
character so far. I was also a striker and a goalscorer, life is just good if
you score. I feel he's happy when we win but I can remember my times, I was
only 100 per cent happy when I also scored. You need this mentality as well as
a striker and I can understand after a game we won, like today, when he was
desperate to be there with a goal and break little bit the curse and be there
with a goal, I totally understand that a natural born striker that you are not
happy if you didn't score or play each and every minute. For that, I have no
signs he's not happy. I know he would prefer to start each and every game, but
we have lots of competition and top players. Everyone has to accept sometimes
they're not in the line-up or like a couple of players today, even in the
squad, if you want to be successful you need to have this competition and
that’s what we have.
Djed was impressive at left-back today, are you excited
about what he could do in 2024?
I was excited when we signed him and brought his potential,
but devastated with his long-term injury because I know it was a difficult
start to the season for him anyway. To be out for eight weeks was difficult for
him. I think it was solid performances in the first two or three games when he
came in, I mentioned to him I wanted him to step up, I asked for it, and he did
this today. Well done for him, good for his standing in the group and his
confidence, but it was just one game. I'm far away from praising him too much,
he has to keep going and deliver to label him a crucial part for us. He has the
potential to do this, he has at least one outstanding performance right now but
he has to keep good going. Quality is not just one good game, or one good week or
month, it's consistently over a longer period. This is what I want to see from
him.
After the defeats this season, your team has been really
good at responding, so is it important after a good day like this as well that
there is no slacking off?