Leeds United vs Southampton: Daniel Farke reveals play-off final injury update as Bamford set to sit out Wembley — YEP 24/5/24

By Joe Donnohue

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke hosts his last pre-match press conference of the season this afternoon as the Whites prepare to take on Southampton at Wembley in the Championship play-off final.

United are potentially 90 minutes from achieving their goal of promotion this season with Sunday afternoon promising to be a pulsating, nail-biting affair.

Leeds have not beaten Southampton this season, losing both attempts, including most recently at the beginning of this month. While Russell Martin’s men have got the better of Farke and Leeds, the travelling legion of Whites will do their utmost to spur their team onto glory, third time lucky.

Patrick Bamford and Sam Byram sat out the play-off semi-final second leg versus Norwich City last week but over a week has passed since last hearing from Farke, who is expected to open his press conference this afternoon with an update on the pair’s condition.

Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas, meanwhile, remain ruled out for this one. Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is also absent with an Achilles injury.

Farke on penalties

We are prepared for everything.

Farke on teamtalk

Quite often I decide spontaneous. When we prepare, we are addicted to prepare in different ways. I have to calm myself not to overload them. In the preparation it’s important to be analytical and work on tactical terms. In the minutes before the game, it’s more like remind of key topics, the basics of football. That we are competitive, confident, win our duels. I quite often decide spontaneous of what the last message is. The last words are often a bit more emotional than more tactics.

Farke on Georginio

In the beginning communication was quite important. I listened to what he said. It’s important to let the players speak, get a feeling for what the problem is, also to work with him, to communicate about finding good solutions, sell your plan to the players, it’s not so much about talking then, it’s more about acting and interacting with them. Then comes down to hard work. I would never praise myself for developing a player, I will always praise the players. We can work with them, bring them close to the door, but they have to take the step through it, take the good advice on board. Georgi had a difficult start to life here, develops in this way, some more challenging spells this season, overall he has played a fantastic season, deserves all the credit, hopefully he can do it in one last game.

Farke on time to prepare

Play-off final is always special because it’s a do-or-die game, you can’t repair mistakes. You can repair over 46 games with some other good results. Cup games you have to be spot on, the focus is pretty special and the concentration level is very high. You have to make sure the players are not over-motivated or excited. I quite like we’ve had time to prepare and to work with the players because even during the season we were at our best when we had time to work on habits, contents and principles. Only negative is the opposition manager has had time to prepare as well.

Farke on motivation to coach in the Premier League again

Nobody is more motivated than me. I wouldn’t sign a contract for any other club on this level. I don’t judge my time at Norwich as unfinished business, we were in the Premier League, last year I was in the Bundesliga, my aim is to work on the Premier League level. This is my big motivation, to work there again with an exciting club, it’s very special in different ways. If it was easy then it’s not my job. I always like challenges, where you can create something special. If possible to create a bit of a legacy. There are coaching legends here at Leeds, we all know their names, hopefully in a few years when we can bring the club back, I can be proud I played a little part in the history of this club. First step is to return back to the Premier League.

Farke on managerial achievements

Every experience helps, I was involved a few times in a title race, the processes of a title race, to play a final are more or less the same. I don’t like to compare some achievements too much because it would be not respectful to my earlier stage in my career. For that I don’t like to compare too much but let’s talk about it after the game if we’ve done this. I’d rather praise us once we’ve achieved something.

Farke on defence

We have to handle the Prem Lge quality of Southampton’s offense. We had the most clean sheets in the whole league. It’s good for our confidence and rhythm to return to that in the two Norwich games. Two clean sheets, good defensive behaviour. This is one of the key topics. Best solution is to have the ball, you can’t concede. We want to have as many spells as possible when we dominate possession.

Farke on nerves

Rituals are always good. We will stick to our normal processes. What we do the day before the game, we have done it several times, in the morning before the game, sometimes go for a walk, perhaps we do this at Wembley we are not too far away, we haven’t decided yet. I want us to concentrate on our contents and not change our habits too much.

Farke on convincing the team of the plan

That’s my job that our players believe in our plan. The most important is to deliver quality on the training pitch, in the meeting room, to analyse the opponent well, to speak about what’s important, to do this methodically, to reach the hearts and souls of the players. We see on the pitch if it works then you need a bit of luck. The longer you are in this business, the more you get the feeling what is necessary. You can’t allow yourself one day to not be switched on, or give one per cent less. It’s always difficult but this is what you have to do in this job. If it was easy anyone could do it.

Farke on mentality

Never in Wembley before, first time for me but it’s no major news that there are spotlight games or sold-out stadiums, so for that it’s important when you want to lead a young group, to show this leadership, to show what’s capable and to lead with the right choices. Important to send the messages, be focused on ourselves than trying to pretend something we are not. We will not try to do something completely different. It’s important to find a good balance, I am highly motivated, focused, to keep going with a smile on your face.

Farke on his face emblazoned across Trinity Shopping Centre in Leeds

Thank God I haven’t seen it, I don’t like to watch my face too much. My players are in the spotlight, I truly believe it’s a player’s game. That’s more important, I’m too old to show my face too much. I want to be there to help my lads.

Farke on final words for squad

Tomorrow we have a training session with last information and work on against the ball. One or two per cent can be decisive, good habits, good nutrition, good preparation, we want to be there in top class shape.

Farke on Norwich bounce

Big boost for the confidence and the rhythm. Some of my injured players after last international break found their confidence and rhythm back. Sadly it won’t help so much in tactical terms because Southampton will be a different challenge to Norwich. We need to play with courage and self-belief to give ourselves a chance.

Farke on playing Southampton and their threat

It’s one of the best sides in the Ch’ship, many experienced players. Classy coach. In the last two decades they’ve spent more time in the Premier League than we have. For this level, it’s difficult to beat them, this was proven in the first two games. We have to be at our best. We know we’re strong and have a really good side in the spotlight games so far, we’ve beat Leicester and Ipswich two times [each]. Would’ve preferred to win the six points against Southampton and we’d have automatic promotion but you can’t choose!

Farke on team selection

I would have preferred to have Patrick available. It’s also important right now to face a reality. He is not there and it’s up to us to find some other solutions. I trust my whole group, there are no complaints or looking for excuses. I won’t speak about the starting line-up right now. We’ve found our rhythm back in the play-offs and want to show this on Sunday.

Farke on Russell Martin

I was quite blessed when I had him at Norwich. He was my captain. My first steps in English football, inexperienced coach, Russell in the later stages of his career, especially in the first weeks got a lot of information because of him. Could tell he would become a manager. He judged the games and everything that happens around the pitch, the dressing room, with the eyes of a manager. I was sure he’d do a good job in this business as a manager. As a captain he was a leader of men, the way he led the group, I sensed many skills if you want to lead a group as a manager. There was no doubt after his playing career, he’d become a manager, I was quite sure. He’s a great person. Right now he’s proving me right, we have our experience from Norwich.

Farke on injuries

Patrick is not available. We had some minor issues during this back, but each and every player will be available. Sam Byram returned back to team training yesterday. If his body doesn’t show a reaction, he will be available. Apart from our long-term injuries, Struijk, Dallas and Bamford all others are available.

Farke is here

Pretty focused, concentrated, we know it’s a massive decisive game. It’s a final and obviously you are a bit more focused. It’s important to stay calm and find a good balance. We have to concentrate on the contents, we are highly motivated like our opponent, but looking forward to having this game, it’s a 50-50 game, anything can happen. Good chance to promote back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.