Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Graham Smyth Leeds United entered the festive period in ‘perfect’ fashion with a 4-0 win over Oxford United but Daniel Farke has told his Whites they must be relentless all season. The victory was Leeds’ ninth in a row at Elland Road, where Farke’s men have become utterly dominant this season. Leeds were not as comfortable as they would have liked against Oxford in a first half that ended 1-0 in their favour. Though Daniel James opened the scoring and came close to a second from distance, Oxford United had a pair of chances too. Przemysław Płacheta ran in behind Ethan Ampadu but blazed wide with only Illan Meslier to beat and in the final action of the half Elliott Moore headed over the keeper and the crossbar. The first chance of the second half went the way of the visitors too, Ciaron Brown heading over the top from a dangerous free-kick. But Leeds soon took complete control of the game and the scoresheet. Jayden Bogle rifled in the second, Brenden Aaronson added the third 1...

By Stuart Rayner When Dan James found the net inside nine minutes we looked all set for the procession the form guide suggested but it had to wait until the final half-hour at a wet and very windy Elland Road. It was worth the wait. Daniel Farke's football can test the patience of Leeds United fans and the quality, if certainly not quantity, of Oxford United's chances made for some uncomfortable moments for those making their last trip to the ground in 2024, but quality goals from Jayden Bogle, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon meant the scoreline was more like the one everyone had been expecting. Nobody could pretend that 4-0 was an unfair scoreline as Leeds kept up the pressure on Sheffield United by matching their record of winning nine home games in a row. Oxford's first mistake had been to dare to try their first attack, Tyler Goodrham releasing Przemyslaw Placheta for a shot that was blocked. Leeds went down the other end and Solomon played a low ball for J...

By Lee Sobot Leeds took on Oxford looking for a ninth home win in succession at Elland Road. Leeds United made it nine home wins in succession whilst also boosting their goal difference as Saturday's 4-0 romp against Championship visitors Oxford United kept them second. Dan James fired the dominant Whites ahead in just the ninth minute but Oxford survived any further damage as the first half ended with the Whites 1-0 to the good. But the floodgates began to open after the break, Jayden Bogle putting Leeds 2-0 up three minutes before the hour mark before Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon got themselves on the scoresheet too. The win was vital to keeping Leeds in the second automatic promotion place with leaders Sheffield United, third-placed Burnley and fourth-placed Sunderland all winning as well. Leeds made a bright start and went close in just the second minute as Ao Tanaka fired a low strike into the side netting after a scramble in the box upon Brenden Aaronson bur...

By Harry Mail Lunchtime kick-offs have proved to be a ‘challenge’ for Leeds United this season and have been far from ‘ideal’ as they look to gain promotion from the Championship, YEP reporter Lee Sobot has said. The Whites have generally struggled for results in that time slot over recent times. The Whites are currently sat in 2nd place in the table behind Sheffield United. They are three points behind the Blades and are one point above Burnley in 3rd. When asked about Leeds’ difficulties playing at midday, Sobot has said: “Daniel Farke has literally said it in his press conferences. He has basically said that everything gets affected by it in terms of the travel, the sleep, what you’re eating. You can’t eat the things you watch. I don’t think it is rocket science to work out he is not a fan of lunchtime kick-offs, I think that is pretty obvious. Everything he has to talk about them he says they are not ideal. It’s a challenge. He is always keen to stress it is not an excuse. It i...

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United manager Daniel Farke does not want to pay any attention to the upcoming January transfer period until five days into the window. The Leeds boss is focused squarely on the task United face in the interim period, which includes clashes against Oxford United, Stoke City, Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City in the space of just over a fortnight. Farke believes the final Championship table begins to really take shape between the end of the November international break and the beginning of March's international window, meaning the busy festive period is a crucial time. For that reason, the German would not be drawn on transfer specifics during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, setting a date of January 4th, following the Whites' trip to face Ruben Selles' Hull, as the time to discuss incomings and outgoings. "Listen, we are right now in such a crucial period in the season. And we want all our players to just...

By Lee Sobot Ethan Ampadu has provided a fitness update. Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has provided a personal fitness update amid a teammate’s doubt with a declaration on Saturday’s visit of Oxford United. Ampadu suffered knee ligament damage in October’s 3-0 win at home to Coventry City and was expected to be out until the new year despite not needing surgery, unlike midfield teammate Ilia Gruev. Ampadu, though, has returned quicker than expected, the skipper making the bench for this month’s hosting of Derby County before bagging late minutes in the subsequent contests against Middlesbrough and Preston North End. Whites boss Daniel Farke has already issued a warning about how long it would take Ampadu to return to his best and peak condition but the captain now appears on starting standby amid current defensive injuries. Max Wober has experienced knee issues following his recent return to action and Leeds now have a new defensive injury to contend with through regula...

By Kyle Newbould The Leeds United boss spoke to the media on Thursday. Oxford are back in the country’s second tier for the first time in 25 years following last season’s promotion as League One play-off winners but the Us sacked promotion-winning boss Des Buckingham following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday. The loss left the Yellows fifth-bottom and just one point clear of the dropzone following a run of just one win from their last 15 games, six of which have produced draws. Leeds, meanwhile, have won their last eight at Elland Road but Farke’s second-placed side lost ground on leaders Sheffield United through last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Preston North End which also allowed the chasing pack to close as Burnley, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers all bagged victories. The Whites are now three points behind the table-topping Blades and just one point ahead of third-placed Burnley with a further point back to fourth-placed Sunderland. Farke’s side will be l...

They have discussed what the issue is Scoring first and protecting that first-half clean sheet is critical to Leeds United improving their away form, according to Joe Rodon and Daniel James. The Whites have won one of their last seven away trips and conceded first in six of those too, all in the first half. United’s form under Daniel Farke when they score first is sensational. In the 34 games they have drawn first blood, they have gone on to win 31 times and drawn the other three. They are unbeaten when they hit the front first. Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Rodon said conceding in the first half on the road has been a problem they have identified which they need to solve. “Being at home, in front of our fans, is always going to be difficult for most teams, but it's just all about consistency,” he said. “We don't look too much into it. “We go into every game and we want to win every game, but, in this league, every team offers a different challenge. Going to different ...

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United minority shareholders Red Bull are not imminently planning to increase their stake in the club despite reports, Elland Road sources have told the YEP. A report by City AM on Wednesday, December 18 claimed Red Bull 'could' increase their holding in the Elland Road club, however the YEP understand no such plans are in place, at this time. It has been suggested Red Bull are 'cutting funding allocated to other sports with a view to increasing the focus on football', which may be the case, but at this stage, there is no guarantee or confirmation this will include purchasing a larger stake in the Whites. Red Bull have recently expanded their global portfolio of clubs with the acquisition of Japanese side Omiya Ardija, as well as purchasing a minority position in French Ligue 2 team Paris FC. The Austrian company also controls the football operations of FC Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig, RB Bragantino and New York Red Bulls with each club un...

By Kyle Newbould Leeds United have just one more game before Christmas and will hope to enter the festive period on a high, with Oxford United this weekend’s visitors to Elland Road. Daniel Farke’s side lost two points on all of their promotion rivals following last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Preston North End but remain in the top two, with Sheffield United out in front. Saturday’s meeting with managerless Oxford is swiftly followed by trips to Stoke City and Derby County, with hope Leeds can go into the New Year having cemented their promotion credentials. Focus will then turn to the January transfer window and while Farke expects a quiet month, club chiefs will surely be keeping an eye on any possible targets. And with that in mind, the YEP has rounded up some of the latest stories surrounding the club. Turgeman latest Fresh reports have emerged linking Leeds with a possible January move for Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Dor Turgeman. The Daily Mail claim Elland Road recruitment chief...

Do the other thing! Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman Photograph by: Lee Brown There are three certainties when it comes to Leeds United matches. A centre-back will head our first attacking corner over the bar. Someone will shout “get rid of it!” any time we take a short goal-kick. And the manager’s team selection will always be wrong. There’s no proof that Albert Einstein ever actually said: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” But there’s also no proof that he didn’t. Just as there’s no proof that Leeds United wouldn’t fare better if they switch things up by starting [Player B] instead of [Player A], a theory applicable in each season since the dawn of time, or at least 1992. You can add your own favourite LUFC selection dilemma, whether you were itching to see Eddie Nketiah instead of Patrick Bamford, or Tyler Roberts, or Mateo Joseph. Or maybe you really wished Neil Redfearn took a chance on Chris Da...

Danny Bloomer Despite still being in the Championship, Leeds United as a club couldn’t be in a more different position to what they were under Massimo Cellino. Cellino spent three years at Elland Road as Leeds’ majority shareholder and eventually left the club completely in May 2017 when he sold the remainder of his stake to Andrea Radrizzani. It is any wonder just how Leeds managed to keep themselves afloat both on and off the pitch during Cellino’s tenure in charge. He constantly hired and fired dreadful managers, signed some atrocious players and was often embroiled in some kind of legal battle, one of which involved Leeds icon Ross McCormack. McCormack was one of the only people who dared speak out about Cellino’s mismanagement at the time, and recently revealed how his move to Fulham prevented Leeds from going under. David Norris shared bizarre Cellino rule that ended Leeds career Cellino’s first summer window in charge saw him make one of the most ridiculous appoint...

See you in May Written by: Rob Conlon For all a draw at Preston left Leeds fans asking themselves whether their glass is half full or half empty, United remain in the huge grey area in between. It might not feel like it, but the 2024/25 campaign is going almost exactly as the club planned: two points per game, baby! Last season, Daniel Farke dug out his copy of ‘The Champo For Dummies’ and outlined his blueprint for finishing in the division’s top two. “If you want to be there with direct promotion,” he said last November, “you need 26 wins and several draws.” Right now, Leeds are on course for — you guessed it! — 26 wins. It’s in keeping with Farke’s reputation, then, that the difference in securing promotion might not be winning more games, but turning some of those ten defeats Leeds suffered last season (like, say, Preston away) into “several draws” in 24/25. Even the draw with Preston followed the usual script. Leeds average 62% possession, take 16.29 shots, and concede 6.4...

By Lee Sobot A Leeds star has assessed his side's away form - and the strength of the club's squad. Whites striker Mateo Joseph has thrown down a Leeds United squad Premier League gauntlet with an away form admission. Twenty-one-year old Leeds forward Joseph was brought back into the side for last midweek's 3-1 win at home to Middlesbrough but dropped back to the bench for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Preston North End. The striker was finally brought on with eight minutes left but it proved enough time to make a big impact as his run darting towards a Dan James cross led to Preston's Jack Whatmough netting a 93rd-minute own goal. The goal saved Leeds from falling to a third 1-0 away defeat of the season and Joseph admitted post-match that playing away from home is more "difficult" for his side away from fortress Elland Road. Joseph, though, assessing competition for a starting berth, declared his belief that Leeds have a "Premier League squad...

Leeds United’s fans have had their say on Saturday’s draw at Preston. Leeds United left it very late to take a 1-1 draw from Saturday’s Championship clash at Preston North End - but what did the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury had to say on the Deepdale stalemate. DAVID WATKINS Oh, Leeds! Why do you do this to us? Every time it looks like we are on a run and go away to a winnable venue with a huge following we fluff our lines! I always thought there was the chance we’d do it again and hence my 1-1 prediction but, in truth, Leeds did most things right in this game, we just let ourselves down. What we didn’t do right was crucial. At critical times in the game, we showed a total lack of composure and quality. In front of goal, once again we spurned chances that ought to have been taken – Brenden Aaronson in particular in the first half and Patrick Bamford with his attempt at a back-heel in the second half. But the Preston goal was poor from Leeds too, Pascal Str...

By Lee Sobot Mateo Joseph has given his verdict on Leeds United’s draw at Preston. Whites striker Mateo Joseph has made a Leeds United admission about Saturday’s draw at Preston North End but with a Championship rivals reminder. Joseph dropped to the bench for the weekend’s contest at Deepdale yet provided a key impact as a second half substitute as Daniel Farke’s side left with a 1-1 draw. With Leeds heading for a 1-0 defeat, Joseph stormed into the box towards a Dan James cross which his marker Dan Whatmough sent into his own net for a 93rd-minute equaliser. Speaking post match to LUTV, Joseph revealed that he had got a touch to the cross to influence the goal as he declared that he needed to be in those exact positions as a Whites no 9. Joseph, though, also admitted that his team were not happy with their first half display yet served a reminder that Daniel Farke’s side had ultimately picked up one more point at Championship rivals Preston than they did last term. “Obv...

By Graham Smyth The YEP’s take and off-camera moments on Leeds United’s 1-1 draw at Deepdale. Leeds United made it a seven-point week with their last-gasp goal at Preston North End sealing a 1-1 draw. On the balance of play and chances it was a deserved share of the spoils, but there was plenty of frustration in the game for the massive away support. Here's the YEP take. Good day Daniel James Leeds United's best player by a country mile. He was dangerous, created chances and made runs down the right all afternoon. The Preston defence weren't able to get to grips with him, couldn't stop him cutting inside or going outside. It was little wonder that the equaliser came from his good work. A man in form. Bad day Jayden Bogle There were good moments in his performance but too many poor ones, including his role in the defending of Preston's counter attack for the opener. Illan Meslier Question marks once again over the goalkeeper's shot-stopping ...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United inexplicably made life difficult for themselves again on the road, before rescuing a draw at Preston North End. Daniel Farke talked a lot about difficulty after Leeds United's 1-1 draw at Preston North End. It's difficult when you go behind against a team like Preston. It's difficult playing three games in seven days. Early kick-offs can be difficult. It can be difficult to start well away from home. Having so many young players in a team can add difficulties. The Championship season is long and has many difficult games. It's difficult to keep your cool when the referee fails to spot a nailed-on second yellow. But Leeds possess the power to make football and life so easy, because that's what they do at Elland Road, so it's difficult to understand why they're playing the game on hard mode away from home. This game was a dramatic one and though the details were unique, the story was one that is by now well told. A sluggis...

By Graham Smyth Daniel Farke was critical of elements of Leeds United's performance at Preston North End but believes a point was a good ending to a difficult week. The Whites followed wins over Derby County and Middlesbrough with a 1-1 draw at Deepdale that held plenty of drama, including a last-gasp leveller. It was heading for an all-too familiar away day story when Man of the Match Daniel James' stoppage time cross was turned into the net by Jack Whatmough. The own goal cancelled out a first half opener from Brad Potts as the hosts profited from poor defending and goalkeeping from Leeds. Pascal Struijk failed to deal with Milutin Osmajic and when Potts beat Jayden Bogle to the eventual cross, Illan Meslier failed to keep out a near-post shot. Beyond a sitter that was missed by Brenden Aaronson, Leeds struggled to make their possession count in the first half. They were also visibly rattled by referee John Busby's decision not to show Ben Whiteman a second yellow...

By Joe Donnohue Preston North End head coach Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with his side's display on Saturday afternoon but worried the game could spin out of control after a fiery opening 45 minutes. Leeds felt hard done by not to see their opponents go down to ten men during the first half as Ben Whiteman fouled Jayden Bogle on the edge of the Preston penalty area. The infraction was Whiteman's second in the space of four minutes and prior to the controversial incident, had been shown a yellow card for a blatant trip on Brenden Aaronson. Referee John Busby took the view that Whiteman's second challenge in quick succession was not worthy of a yellow card, although those of a Leeds persuasion - and even Heckingbottom - believed there was a case for a second booking to be shown. "Definitely [can see why Leeds were upset about the lack of second yellow]. Players are clever at drawing a foul and Ben did extremely well not to make another one [with Gnonto just af...

Jack Whatmough put through his own net right at the death to deny Preston North End a hard-fought victory over Leeds United in the Championship. The 28-year-old came on to help preserve a point but prodded Dan James’ cross into his own net in the 93rd minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Brad Potts had bagged the 23rd-minute opener but it was not meant to be for the hosts, who battled hard until the end but just fell short against the promotion-chasing visitors. Going into this, Leeds had only won three of their first nine matches on the road while Preston had only lost one home league game under Paul Heckingbottom so it should not have been a surprise when the Lilywhites went ahead. Milutin Osmajic did brilliantly well to spin Pascal Struijk in the centre of the pitch before storming down the wing and bending a sensational ball to the back post for Potts, whose first-time finish had just enough on it to squeeze past Illan Meslier. Leeds should have had a quickfire response just ...

By Lee Sobot Leeds took on Championship hosts Preston at Deepale in another Saturday lunchtime kick-off. Leeds United struck in the 93rd minute to bag a 1-1 draw at Saturday’s lunchtime hosts Preston North End to take Daniel Farke’s Whites top of the Championship ahead of Sheffield United playing Plymouth Argyle. Just as Leeds looked to be heading for another 1-0 away loss, the point also saw Farke’s Whites move four points clear in the division’s automatic promotion spots but with the teams below them having a game in hand. Third-placed Burnley who are now four points adrift visit Norwich City on Sunday afternoon whist fourth-placed Sunderland who are now five points adrift travel to Swansea City in a Saturday 3pm kick-off. Leeds arrived at Preston having won just one of their last six away games and the hosts went ahead in the 23rd minute from a rapid counter that began when Joe Rothwell ran into a dead end from a Leeds attack. The Lilywhites worked the ball to Milutin Os...