Leeds United vs Southampton: Daniel Farke discusses promotion chances amid new injury update — YEP 2/5/24
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke hosts his final pre-match press conference of the regular Championship season ahead of the Whites’ fixture against Southampton.
By Joe Donnohue
This afternoon’s pre-match presser is unlikely to be the
last of its kind this season with Leeds most probably having to participate in
the Championship play-offs later this month.
Farke chose not to discuss the probability of that
particular scenario following his side’s 4-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers last
Friday but after Ipswich Town’s victory against Coventry City earlier this
week, the automatic promotion picture is an especially stark one from a Leeds
perspective.
United must beat Southampton on Saturday afternoon and hope
a Huddersfield Town side, practically already relegated to League One, can pick
up three points against Kieran McKenna’s Premier League hopefuls at Portman
Road.
It’s a tall order but not impossible, therefore it will be
intriguing to see the sort of line Farke takes in his press conference today.
The boss will be joining us in the Thorp Arch media suite
from 1:30pm. Stay tuned.
Daniel Farke pre-match press conference LIVE
Farke on what went wrong at QPR
We were not brave at all in our compactness in our pressing,
that was the first goal we conceded. Our offensive players tried to press but
the midfield didn’t move up. We had too much ‘we don’t want to concede’. Second
goal, it felt like we weren’t competitive enough, we allowed them to cut inside
and to have a clean finish. The basics, to play with positive aggression, that
was not there in the first 20 minutes. In the second half, we conceded two
set-pieces and the game was done. I was self-critical as I substituted Sam
Byram at 2-0 down and it was a mistake. I hold my hands up. I thought at this
moment, second game was in four days, we know Byram’s injury CV, I wanted to
introduce one more offensive player Mateo Joseph who always has an influence
off the bench. We conceded the third goal exactly where Byram would be in
set-pieces. Sadly, it was too obvious in this area where Mateo came in and the
fourth goal out of a set-piece where Byram was as well.
Farke on the run-in
If you want to bring it over the line you also need a bit of
luck. There were a few things we couldn’t influence. Key players like Gnonto,
Gruev, Roberts came back injured from international duty, Georgi Rutter needed
surgery. Couldn’t influence the schedule. The run-in, normally you think why do
you have to play Monday and Friday. You need a bit of luck in these terms.
Sadly in these games we didn’t have the experience of Connor Roberts, didn’t
have Dan James who has been fantastic, best goals and assists season in his
life. Bamford not available for QPR. Struijk, we’re playing without our
cornerstone in defence. For a team like Ipswich, when the schedule came out
it’s also not great for them, two weeks without a game then play three times in
a week. Credit to them. Two weeks without a game does them a favour. All their
key players are back. Sometimes you need a bit of luck with the run-in that the
schedule does you a favour and that your key players are available and in the
best chance.
Farke on player meetings
They are honest even if I’m there. We are self-critical when
we have a meeting. I hear their voices and they are pretty self-critical.
Sometimes I have to be a bit more careful that they are not too much about
themselves that’s a bit over the line. When you have so many young players they
are so critical of themselves because it does something then with the
confidence. I encourage them to speak about weaknesses. I sense for example, my
centre-halves, they wanted to go for a lot of finishing and attacking crossing
[drills in training] and corner kicks but I also had to stop them to make sure
they’re not overloaded. I love this mentality.
Farke on Bamford's injury
We also expected him to be back earlier because there is no
damage on the scan, but the bruise affects the ligament and he’s not capable to
stretch his leg. We tried injection therapy, it was a bit surprise we cannot
get this bruise out of his knee. It’s an area on the knee that’s difficult to
treat manually. We hope the injections helps. I hope there’s a chance he’s back
to team training tomorrow. I’m not sure if he’s ready to start the game,
because he’s missed a bit too much but we try everything. There is no major
injury, how should I label it, a bit unlucky. It happened in the game, a slide
tackle against the post, no-one can be blamed for it.
Farke on focusing on strengths or improving a different area
Both is important. You’re not only working on the
weaknesses. We want to gain the momentum back of being the best team scoring
from set-pieces during the first half of the season. Recent weeks, deliveries
poor, runs not timed, players not available who are capable to score in these
situations. We had players, our takers, due to individual problems, muscular
problems, couldn’t train it with this consistency. It has to do a bit with busy
spell, Cree Summerville always struggling, Dan James muscle injuries. We had
the time this week to also focus on strengths and the little weaknesses,
scoring out of set-pieces also one of them.
Farke on ensuring no repeats of QPR
This game is a bit like a play-off game because we need to
win it. Good defensive behaviour is always the key. Several things you have to
do, be open and honest about what went wrong, then also to make our physio and
rehab department to work as well as possible to get important players back. To
work on defensive behaviour on the training pitch. When we had one week to
prepare for a game and one week to spend on the training pitch, normally we
have always delivered. The moments we’ve struggled a bit was always when there
was a quick turnaround like last week. When we have time on the training pitch
to work on it we’re always better. It gives me hope, full belief that we will
be better than QPR. Sadly this week is not a guarantee but good basics
situation. Again, also in the offense, we created many chances, scored four at
Boro, but we want to showed this effectiveness with more consistency.
Farke on showing resolve to rewrite history if results don't
go Leeds' way
There’s still a chance. If we win the game, it would equal
the record point tally this club has achieved. If we don’t go into the top two
it’s important for the rhythm and mood. We know we play one of the best sides,
can play with more freedom than us because they have nothing to lose. Last
three games we’ve conceded too many goals, we want to go back to our top class
defensive behaviour. We want to be effective and clinical to use our chances.
It’s important to do this for many reasons.
Farke on state of play
I don’t have the feeling some players have let me down. It’s
important not to lose nerves and to look on the bigger picture. We were all
disappointed and pretty self-critical after the outcome against QPR. No
question we were in this mood. When I sign the contract here, in order to
create something really special, perhaps what this club has not achieved in the
last two decades. We played three seasons on Premier League level, one
fantastic season but the third season ended with relegation. We are not allowed
to label ourselves an established Premier League side. My aim is to bring this
team and club back to the big stage, not to stay there for one good season,
that one day we are an established side. I was fully aware it will be tricky in
the first season at the first time of asking to get back. I knew about our
situation, the obvious reasons, contracts whatever, I was fully aware, we go
for it but it will be difficult. Once I came in and I knew then all the
details, it was worse than I really thought. We don’t have to speak about the
beginning of the season. After ten games, you would have told me we’d be there
after 45 games safe in the play-offs, would definitely finish not worse than
position three in the league, a theoretical chance to push into the top two on
the last day, it would have sounded like a dream in September. If you would
have then told me you’d be on 90 points, I’d say you’re kidding. It’s just due
to the incredible work of my lads that we are in this position. We all know a
bit better run-in we could be in an even more comfortable situation. We know
there are a few reasons why we didn’t have the best run-in but I will never
forget about the bigger picture. I understand the criticism or why our
supporters are down or disappointed, Ipswich winning a game, of course the
feeling is you’re disappointed, but it also feels like I’m not in depression
mode, I’m really positive and optimistic and excited of what lies ahead of us.
First is Saturday, we need some help but we go for it and I’m excited.
Farke on criticism of players
I never play psychological games. We were far from our best.
Players want honesty. Friday was not a good game for us and obviously I had to
be critical but don’t forget about the bigger picture over the course of the
season. We have a pretty young side so for that it was important to be
analytical and critical where necessary but to give solutions because this is
what we want to do on Saturday.
Farke on players' reaction
We were all disappointed. Next day you analyse and train,
you’re still disappointed. Normally you don’t want to hear about football but
you have to and after analysing the game and speaking about the things and work
on the training pitch it helped. Since the beginning of the new week we’re
ready to go. We’re pretty focused and concentrated. I can’t guarantee you a
firework of football and three points because we’re playing against a really
good side. We have to be at our best to give ourselves a chance to win some
points. Carefully optimistic that we can bring this good training week into
Saturday.
Farke on final day
You have to earn your spot in the starting lineup in the
training week. Without team training it’s not possible to be in the squad.
We’re not thinking about what happens after the last game of the regular
season. We know it’s a small chance but as long as there’s a chance we go for
it. We want to be there with the best possible performance and result, to
finish in the best way.
Farke on injuries
We have our long-term injuries, Dallas, Struijk out for the
season. Dan James will miss the game, no chance. Big question mark behind
Connor Roberts. Involved in parts of team training, not ready for 90 minutes.
Late decision with him. Big question mark behind Patrick Bamford, no full team
training, just individual work so far.