Leeds United vs Millwall: Daniel Farke reveals early team news and injury latest in pre-match press conference — YEP 15/3/24
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke sits down with the media this afternoon ahead of the Whites' Championship fixture against Millwall.
By Joe Donnohue
Leeds maintained their unbeaten league record in 2024 last
Friday night as Sheffield Wednesday were seen off at Hillsborough by two goals
to nil. The United players were given time off following their eleventh win in
12 Championship games and returned to Thorp Arch en masse midway through this
week.
Each of Farke's first-team squad members will have been
assessed for knocks or injuries picked up in the win over Wednesday, although
it is expected that the overwhelming majority of the German's stalwarts have
come through unscathed.
Pascal Struijk remains out as he continues his comeback from
injury, meanwhile Stuart Dallas remains the club's only long-term injury
absentee. Jamie Shackleton may be reintegrated after sitting out the Wednesday
victory due to concussion protocols, while Jaidon Anthony will return to the
fold following leave for personal reasons.
Farke on keeping Ampadu fresh
It's a credit to his personality and quality, he's in cruise
control. At the moment he's impressive with his consistency. Such an impressive
defensive player, but also in build-up and leadership. I always want to have
him on the pitch, he looks sharp and prepared. I love his mentality, he does a
lot between games, to recover, he's very professional and mature for a young
age. He's not the only player but one player that is in the spotlight. I'm
pretty pleased with Ethan - we assess him every week, hopefully he stays
without injuries in great shape.
Farke on whether going top would change the dynamic
It's a bit of a difference if you have to chase or bring the
lead over the line. I think especially this season it doesn't change that much,
the other teams are showing such a consistency. The table position wouldn't
change our dynamic or position that much. Yes there's a chance to improve our
position but just because in the end Leicester would have a game in hand, I'm
not over-interpreting the league position too much - what is priceless is the
three points. We keep chasing the points tally and the number of wins we want
to have.
Farke on Archie's England recognition
The most important topic is not so much talking but what
happens on the pitch, his games, his consistency, also his personality, how his
behaviour is and how he handles all the praise and spotlight in a humble and
down to earth way. Gareth is very experienced and knows this game in a top way.
You don't even have to be a football expert to know how good Archie is. It's
not a surprise there are positive comments. I'm not worried about Archie
handling these comments because he's so down to earth. I don't sense a
difference at all, he is 18 meanwhile, he can be with us in the dressing room
now.
Farke on promotion race bringing the best
You never know, sometimes you can be over-motivated and a
little nervous. It's important to find a good balance, to play with fire in the
heart but stay cool in the head. This league is all about consistency and this
is what teams at the top have proved in a remarkable and incredible way. It
will be a tight competition until the end. We're looking forward to this
period.
Farke on differences between Leeds team that beat Millwall
earlier in season and now
Confidence level is much better now. You get used to losing
games after losing a lot of matches over the last two years. Obviously we have
worked a lot in our principles, how we want to play, to develop younger players
and other individual players like Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Glen
Kamara. You need confidence, to work on individual game and our principles.
More or less our players what we want to do against the ball, how our football
should look like, we're more in our rhythm. We've developed a lot in comparison
to the beginning of the season. Credit to my players, they've been open-minded
and credit to individual players who are playing crucial and central roles for
us and didn't come in the summer with the best rhythm and confidence level. It's
a credit to how far they've come.
Farke on Millwall and Harris
They were strong in set-pieces, hard to create chances
against a Gary Rowett side. Neil Harris back in charge, he knows this club
inside out and exactly what this club wants to stand for, values and how they
want to play. In the last four games, ten points, impressive away performances,
back to their best so it's difficult to create chances. They are dangerous on
the counter-attack, at set-pieces, at being compact and competitive. I expect a
side nothing to lose after recent results, they will come with confidence and
to make it difficult for us. We have to be ready for physical battles and to
find good solutions.
Farke on working on the training pitch
In the beginning it was important to calm the load, we were
in on Saturday, a proper session for players who didn't play at Sheffield and
to analyse the game. We allowed the players to have two days off, even some
other players an extra day. It was important to calm the load in terms of
concentration and focus. We started to prepare for Millwall, it will be a
difficult game, good to have some time on the training pitch. We try to work on
our game and adapt a bit our exercises, the key factors for the weekend. I
think we have good opportunity to prepare in the best possible way. They're in
really good form after Neil [Harris] took over.
Farke on expectant fathers in the squad
Games are coming thick and fast at the moment, also the
babies. Football players have some time in the summer, more or less [conceived]
at the same time. We need each and every man, it's good we will have some new
family members who will support us. It's a bit complicated sometimes, you're
with your wife at the hospital, it affects sometimes the training. You can take
the altruism of this, a great experience of life.
Farke on team news
Some good news with Jamie and Jaidon Anthony, back available
for this game at the weekend. With Pascal Struijk, some bad news, progress to
come back into team training was not possible. It's a bit complicated situation
with him - he's got a cartilage injury and there are always two ways to treat
this injury. Either you go for surgery, if we do this he's out for the season,
or the conservative route and go for injection therapy. The doctors hoped this
would be beneficial for him. We had to go this route, the cartilage needs some
healing, it has progressed but the next 10 days will be decisive.