Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Will Jackson A round-up of the latest Leeds United news as the Whites prepare for their Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Norwich City This is it. Today is D-Day for Leeds United as they take on Norwich City in the Championship play-off semi-finals second leg at Elland Road. At this stage of the season it really is win at all costs and Leeds will be doing everything they can to get over the line and book their place in this month's Wembley showdown against either Southampton or West Bromwich Albion. The score is tied after the first leg at Carrow Road with the two sides playing out a hard fought 0-0 draw and just one goal tonight could be enough to settle the contest either way. Daniel Farke's side have been strong on home soil this season, but they need a big performance in West Yorkshire this evening in front of what promises to be a raucous full house. As the hours tick down to kick-off, we round-up some of the Whites news out there. Farke urge

By Graham Smyth It’s do or die at Elland Road tonight as Leeds United face Norwich City in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg. The Whites’ season, which saw them rack up an incredible tally of 90 points, could all come down to a single moment, decision, mistake or stroke of brilliance. A place at Wembley in the game they say is worth something like £150m is at stake and for Daniel Farke the road to a third Premier League promotion runs right through his former club Norwich. A night of overwhelming emotion is on the cards, regardless of the outcome, but here are six keys for Leeds if they want Elland Road to get what it deserves come full-time. The first goal: It used to be that when this Leeds United team scored first we knew what would happen next. But getting the first goal of the semi-final would not just imbue the players with confidence - specifically the attackers who have been struggling of late - it would do wonders for Elland Road and the atmosphere. There w

By Stuart Rayner DANIEL FARKE wants Leeds United to use the passion of Elland Road to get to Wembley, but warned his players not to get carried away by it. He needs to be cool-headed too as he ponders what changes, if any, to make from Sunday's first leg at Carrow Road. In theory, the Whites have home advantage for Thursday's Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Norwich City, effectively reduced to a one-off tie by the 0-0 draw in the first leg. That is slightly undermined by Leeds' only Elland Road win in the play-offs coming in 1987, but the past is just that, and the Whites would surely rather be on their own ground than someone else's. That is certainly manager Farke's view, although he realises his players will need a balanced mindset to make the most of their advantage. "It will definitely be an amazing atmosphere, much whiter than yellow," said former Norwich manager Farke, who was confronted with the opposite scene on Sun

By Stuart Rayner Having worn the shirts of both clubs, Jon Newsome knows a bit about the psychology of Leeds United and Norwich City, and he thinks setting the right tone will be essential to the Whites' chances of reaching the Championship play-off final. It is a job he believes will start at 7pm, when the teamsheets are published an hour before kick-off. Because the names the home fans are presented with as they make their way to Elland Road or eat and drink in its concourses has the potential to set a powerful ball rolling...or puncture the mood. Like the other three teams in the Championship play-offs, Leeds went cagey in Sunday's first leg at Carrow Road, picking Archie Gray as a more defensive-minded No 10 and claiming a first clean sheet since April 9. But the second leg requires a different way of thinking, according to former centre-back Newsome. "The way we start the game is huge," said the Sheffield-born defender, who played 88 times for Leeds and

Leeds United take on Norwich City in the second-leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at Elland Road tonight and former fitness coach Benoit Delaval will be among those watching on from afar It's there written in Benoit Delaval's packed schedule. May 16: Leeds United vs Norwich City. Delaval may be working at RC Lens these days, but this Bielsa disciple has ensured he is 'booked in' to watch the second-leg of his former side's play-off semi-final tonight. "I have Leeds in my heart and in my blood," the club's ex-fitness coach told Leeds Live. "I would like to have them in the Premier League until the end of my life." Delaval knows the rather bonkers nature of the play-offs better than most having experienced it first-hand in 2019. Marcelo Bielsa's team, like Daniel Farke's current outfit, triumphed in just one of their final five league games. However, despite their patchy form, Leeds managed to win the first-leg of thei

SHOOTOUT Written by: Rob Conlon If — and it’s a big if — Angus Kinnear and Victor Orta had anything about them, they’d have made sure the loan clauses of Leeds’ deserters stipulated that should the fate of our season go down to a penalty shootout, we’d be able to recall them all and make them take one each. That way, if they scored, they’d finally be able to say they’ve done something useful for Leeds United. And if they missed, it’d hardly change anyone’s opinion of them. Unfortunately, that’s not possible. If it comes to it, the poor sods we actually like are going to have to take them. In squad number order, here’s how I’d rate their chances. Illan Meslier He’s not very good at saving penalties, but I’d definitely have him in my first five to take one. I’m not sure whether that says more about Meslier or the rest of the Leeds squad. Junior Firpo Firpo has already taken two penalties for Leeds and it’s in keeping with his entire vibe that he stuck one into the top corne

By Graham Smyth Such is the way of the modern game that every word uttered by managers like Leeds United's Daniel Farke is scrutinised and the same can be true of the words left unsaid. Farke and Leeds decided last week that with no contractual obligation to hold a pre-game press conference for the play-off semi-final second leg, there was no real argument to do so. The logic? Well what has changed since he last spoke to the media after Sunday's 0-0 first leg draw? The opponent is the same. He's talked about facing Norwich already on three separate occasions this season. His feelings on that club and the difficulty they pose as a team are no different. The job at hand is the same, the stakes have not changed and just about anyone could sit in front of a microphone and call this a big game or a must-win fixture. The only new information that Farke might bring to the table to discuss was any team news and given that he ruled Patrick Bamford out of this fixture almost a we

Daniel Farke made decisions on Sunday against Norwich City that showed a degree of tactical flexibility which Leeds United critics have not always seen from him this season Momentarily, Daniel Farke seemed irked at any suggestion his Leeds United tactics might be predictable. Ahead of Sunday’s first leg, the manager had been asked how he ensures his team’s approach is not easy for Norwich City to anticipate. “We were never predictable during the season,” he said. “We have always a different option and also played different base formations, but the principles are, more or less, always the same.” Sunday’s selection almost seemed to be Farke proving his point. Archie Gray was definitely not predicted to start as the team’s attacking midfielder behind Georginio Rutter. Gray’s recall was not a surprise, but right-back or central midfield had been the expectation. The teenager has played as the advanced playmaker with great success in the under-21s, but he hasn’t started in that role

Leeds United face Norwich City at Elland Road on Thursday night, with the game getting started under the lights at 8pm. The Whites drew 0-0 with the Canaries in the first leg of this Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final, and both teams are now looking to secure a place at Wembley for the final. Speaking to the media at the end of the first leg at Carrow Road, Daniel Farke gave his thoughts on what he believes will be another memorable backing from the stands in the second leg. “I think it will definitely be an amazing atmosphere, probably much whiter than yellow,” the manager stated. “I think it will be a pretty, pretty impressive atmosphere on Thursday. “But, we also have to make sure that we are again not overexcited. So to show a good mental strength in this moment will be also quite important.” Onto the game itself on Thursday, Farke is still fully aware of the threats Norwich pose, but is pleased to see his side returning to home turf. He said: “Everything is sti

Daniel Farke had to stop himself from saying something he would regret if Leeds United end up reaching Wembley play-off final By Beren Cross Jinxing a Wembley trip if Leeds United get there is the last thing Daniel Farke wants to do, but the first thing he now expects after 10 months at the club’s helm. The manager now knows all too well, if the Whites can do things the hard way, they will, and he doesn’t want to tempt fate with comments that may bite him down the line. After Sunday’s draw with Norwich City, Farke was riled up about several decisions which did not go his side’s way. The first-half challenge on Wilfried Gnonto by Borja Sainz which neither yielded a penalty nor a free-kick and Junior Firpo’s disallowed goal were red rags for Farke in his post-match press conference. It was not only those decisions which prompted talk about video assistant referees in the Championship, but a litany of officiating errors over the course of the season. Farke stopped short of calling

By Stuart Rayner DANIEL FARKE has described Daniel James' role in Leeds United's Championship play-off semi-final first leg as mainly that of "lucky charm" as he weighs up what the winger can bring to the second leg. Having not played since the victory over Middlesbrough because of a costal cartilage injury and an oblique abdominal muscle tear, the Hull-born player was held back until the 85th minute at Carrow Road on Sunday, but he made a good impression when he came on, robbing Christian Fassnacht of the ball and putting over a cross his team-mates should have been more alert to. One would expect James to be capable of more in Thursday's second leg at Elland Road, although the decision will be made more complicated by the fact the game could end in 90 minutes or 120. "With Daniel it was a tricky situation because he had just one full training session with us and he'd been injured for three weeks," commented manager Farke. "Until the in

By Phil Hay The oldest prank in the book got a run-out on Sunday as fireworks went off around Sprowston Hall, the hotel used by Leeds United before the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Norwich City. One burst was heard around 1am and another closer to 4am, followed by the wait to see if money burned was money well spent. Inside the manor, Leeds were only vaguely disturbed, but on the evidence of the month behind them, a loud bang to wake their squad up was not necessarily a bad thing. None of the Championship clubs involved in the play-offs travelled into them with the speed of a train, but Leeds more than any other were at risk of sleepwalking in a scenario where the sharpest of senses were called for. Daniel Farke kept calling them the best team below the top two, but from matchday 38 onwards, they looked less and less like it. Farke can generally count on a warm welcome in Norwich, but not on weekends like this one and not at a point in the year when managers prefer t

By Joe Donnohue Norwich City boss David Wagner acknowledges that penalties are a possibility against Leeds United in their Championship play-off semi-final second leg. The Canaries head coach says he hopes to stay in the game as long as possible at Elland Road, believing that the longer Norwich are in the tie, the better their chance of progression to the final, which could provide insight into the team's approach on Thursday night. Wagner successfully won promotion via the play-offs with Huddersfield Town in 2017, winning two penalty shootouts en route to the Premier League after a 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday in the opening leg of the play-off semi-final, the same result Leeds managed against his Norwich outfit last Sunday. Wagner's men drew 1-1 with Wednesday during the second leg at Hillsborough, taking the game to penalties, before securing promotion after a 0-0 draw against Reading in the final. Asked whether he would be placing much emphasis on spot-kicks

By Lee Sobot New opportunities await Leeds United’s youngsters, including Harry Gray who is set to step up next term. United’s under-18s brought the curtain down on an impressive season with their appearance in Friday night’s FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City who eventually powered to a 4-0 victory at the Etihad. City’s team was stacked out with youth internationals but Leeds were prevented from playing one of theirs for being too young. Harry Gray, still only 15, fell short of the competition’s age boundaries but there will be no such barriers next season as the younger brother of first team star Archie steps up. Hailing some “exceptional” young players, under-18s boss Rob Etherington said there were also under-15s now pushing to excel at under-16s level as he declared his pride at the club’s Academy and the direction in which it was moving. "Harry will be old enough next year,” Etherington told the YEP, asked about next season and in particular Gray in the FA Yo

By Will Jackson Daniel Farke felt Leeds United had a goal wrongly ruled out on Sunday at Carrow Road Leeds United could have probably done with VAR on Sunday afternoon as they took on Norwich City in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg. The two sides played out a goalless draw at Carrow Road but the game wasn't without incident with Leeds feeling aggrieved about a couple of decisions made by the officiating team, led by referee Josh Smith, on the day. Leeds saw a goal ruled out and a penalty shout dismissed in East Anglia, with the former incident leaving Farke feeling particularly hard done by. However, should Leeds do enough on Thursday night to progress to the play-off final, he will take comfort from the expectation that VAR will be in use at Wembley. VAR has been used in EFL play-off finals at Wembley since 2022 and there has been little to suggest that will change this time around, with video technology available and in place at the national stadium. As s

By Graham Smyth Leeds United's play-off semi-final with Norwich City is finely poised after a relatively drab 0-0 at Carrow Road in which both sides missed the few chances that came along. The way the game went, with Norwich coming on stronger in the first half an hour and Leeds becoming more dominant towards the latter stages, allowed both managers to come away content. At Elland Road, however, the tie will have to spark to life at some stage. Here's the YEP take on the first leg. Good day: Glen Kamara. Though he's had his critics in the final weeks of the season, Kamara did his job well at Norwich on Sunday with a performance that was solid enough to answer them. One of his big strengths is looking after the ball, shielding it from the opposition and disguising his intentions to buy himself space in which to then pass it off. Only Joe Rodon had more touches than the Finland international. Getting him into positions where he can link play higher up the pitch will be

IT'S FINE Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman In the post-match press conferences, Norwich City manager David Wagner said enough for everyone. “I’m absolutely fine with the performance,” he said, “and the shift the players put in defensively.” He was in “a very positive mood” about drawing at half-time in the tie, and if he had the vaguest air of a dad being “absolutely fine” about coming second in an egg and spoon race, it was only because his team will be playing the second half away. In the meantime this game can be tossed aside until Thursday night, then dragged out again and made to fit into whatever gaps the damn ‘narrative’ demands. The ninety minutes at Carrow Road were about as anti-storyline as football gets, as all the ingredients – one manager and his staff going back to their former club, one manager still sulking about Garry Monk shoving him about, decades of player-theft, the dreadful things done at Carrow Road to Luciano Becchio, Norwich’s Shane Duffy faci

By Graham Smyth Leeds United will take their Championship play-off semi-final back to Elland Road after a 0-0 draw with Norwich City in the first leg and what do they have to fear? Norwich is lovely of a sunny Sunday morning. Joggers and dog walkers sharing the pedestrianised streets and cobbles. Swans gliding down the River Wensum. A stunning cathedral. Visitors welcome. A very pleasant place to come for a kickabout. Not, you would think, the kind of place where a team could feel much in the way of trepidation, even with the best efforts of a little 1am firework crew outside Sprowston Manor where the Leeds squad were slumbering. But still, the play-offs. The post-season source of so much historical trauma for this club. A concept of sporting administration to prompt loathing in Leeds. Do or die, as Daniel Farke said on Thursday. Not a time for fear. Nor a time for big, drastic changes, he also proffered in his pre-game press briefing. Except, of course, for the little matter of

BY HAMISH WOODWARD The signing of Zan Benedicic by Leeds United in 2014 had promise, but turned out to be another flop transfer. Leeds' loan deal for Zan Benedicic was a major flop, leading to his career spiraling down quickly. Despite high hopes and potential, Benedicic only played one Championship game for Leeds. Benedicic suffered a knee injury after his lone appearance, and never fulfilled the promise once seen in him. Massimo Cellino spent three years as the owner of Leeds United, and signed a number of flops during this time. However, very few were as laughably disappointing as the loan deal for Zan Benedicic. Leeds went through six managers in three years with Cellino at the helm, and the club brought in 26 different players on permanent deals in order to cement their return to the Premier League after a decade away. This also included a hefty number of loan deals from different clubs all over Europe. This included one move in 2014 from Serie A, a league which

A Leeds United supporter is said to have been attacked outside of Carrow Road on Sunday. By CHARLIE PARKER-TURNER A Leeds United supporter is claimed to have been slashed in the neck with a blade following their Championship play-off semi-final first leg with Norwich City on Sunday afternoon. The man was reportedly attacked outside Carrow Road after the match as he attempted to ask a group of Norwich fans about their alleged tragedy chanting. Supporters clashed outside of the stadium following the 0-0 draw which kicked off at midday, with police being forced to intervene. In a post shared on X, Leeds fan @DorsettHottub posted that his dad had been attacked after the full-time whistle sounded. He wrote: “We came out of Carrow Road after the game to Chants of Turks with knives and Galatasaray.. whilst asking the lads why it was said, my dad was slashed in the neck with a blade and hit by a full can. If anyone knows anything please speak up.” Express Sport understands that two a