Leeds United v Birmingham City: Daniel Farke outlines Whites' January transfer window plan — Yorkshire Post 1/1/24
LEEDS UNITED manager Daniel Farke is expecting a ‘quiet and calm’ winter window in comparison to its summer equivalent in 2023-24.
By Leon Wobschall
United start the new year at home to Birmingham City today,
with the Elland Road outfit enduring an untimely blip in form which has damaged
their prospects of finishing in the automatic promotion positions.
Leeds, who have won just once in their last five matches,
are nine points adrift of second-placed Ipswich Town and a whopping 17 points
behind leaders Leicester City.
But Farke insists that the run has now prompted a major
rethink of their January transfer strategy.
The German admits there are a few positions where he could
look for reinforcement, while the departure of some squad players struggling
for game-time is another possibility.
But he is not expecting significant activity.
Farke said: “Obviously, this club needs stability after two
difficult years – and if I am really honest, two difficult spells from August
to September.
“I expect a much more quiet and calm January to the last
transfer period for example. We wish for a quiet January, but won’t fall asleep
and when there are decisions to make, we will also make decisions and you never
know what happens.
“I have been working too long in this business not to rule
anything out.
“I am pleased with my squad so far, but obviously there are
also a few players who are in a position where they are not playing that many
minutes and are not back involved. It could be that something happens there,
yes.
“We are (also) all not falling asleep as we know there are a
few positions where we could perhaps need some support or more options.
“But at the moment, I expect there is not (going to be) too
much done. We are much more in control than August and up to the first of
September."
After three successive away defeats, Leeds are likely to
welcome the return to home comforts, with Farke's side yet to see their colours
lowered at Elland Road this season.
They face a Birmingham side who have seriously underwhelmed
during the tenure of Wayne Rooney, with fifth-from-bottom Blues having won just
twice in 14 outings under him.
Despite the rotten record, Farke is wary when talk turns to
Birmingham's current position, with the Midlands outfit being the first team to
beat Leeds this season back in August, when Rooney's predecessor John Eustace
was at the helm.
Farke, whose side head into the game after festive losses to
West Brom and Preston, added: “When you are there with two tight, unlucky and
difficult losses on the road and also get decisions against you, you are not
allowed to speak disrespectfully about opponents.
“They had a really good start to the season, so that shows
they have quality with some very experienced players at this level and
experienced and quality players can change momentum in this league quickly.
“We must make sure we win the momentum back and not
Birmingham."