Norwich City vs Leeds United: Dan James and Patrick Bamford injury update ahead of play-off semi-final — YEP 10/5/24
By Joe Donnohue
Daniel Farke is expected to provide a fresh update on the
condition of Leeds United attacking duo Dan James and Patrick Bamford ahead of
this weekend’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Norwich City.
United travel to Norfolk for the second time this season on
Sunday but may still be without one or both of their 22-goal pairing James and
Bamford.
Both players have been unavailable since picking up separate
injuries in the 4-3 win over Middlesbrough last month and consequently missed
the 4-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers and subsequent 2-1 loss at the hands of
fellow play-off contenders Southampton last weekend.
James’ issue remains a torn abdominal muscle while Bamford’s
bruised knee continues to perplex the medical staff at Thorp Arch.
Farke on 'pressure'
I’m not a believer of psychological games. Every team wants
to win the points, if you don’t you are very disappointed and not happy.
Pressure is always on both teams. Both teams have played to earn the right to
win promotion. I don’t think there’s anyone at Norwich who is not willing to
promote to the Premier League and says ‘no, we’d rather stay in the
Championship’. Pressure is for the pundits to discuss. We want to be successful
in these two games and earn the right to play at Wembley.
Farke on Will Ferrell as investor in the club
We need each and every man, it’s always good. Great actor,
we are all happy that he is on board, but I don’t think it will help us much at
Norwich to bring the ball into the rectangle. Says a lot about the calibre of
the club. We are grateful for a lot of our well-known supporters. But it’s up
to the players to bring the success. We can’t act the ball over the line, we
have to shoot it.
Farke on spotlight games
You can’t hide it, the players are not stupid. It’s more
like you can earn the right to play in Wembley, a do-or-die competition. They
know it’s a spotlight game and we don’t hide behind the fact, but on the other
hand to be there and don’t change too much in the approach or preparation. We
won’t overdo anything. We had one or two days more this week to prepare, to
sharpen up on a few details.
Farke on team meal
I love this and always encourage this. I have a feeling we
have a really great spirit. This group is united and so tight together. For me
it’s second to none, I think it’s outstanding and why this young team has
played such a season with 90 points. We’re not the end product but the spirit
was always good. In terms of togetherness and unity, you can be united when the
sun’s shining, with a club record of unbeaten games, sadly we lost our last two
games, they are still so together in these moments. These are the basic
ingredients to be successful and be allowed to celebrate. Not a guarantee that
we will celebrate but without the spirit you won’t. Hopefully the spirit
carries us through the next days and weeks.
Farke on making sure Leeds aren't predictable
We were never predictable during the season, we’ve had
different options and base formations. Principles are always the same. What we
want to do with the ball, we always try to work on flexibility and plan B, C,
D. We have different approaches to bring, but one of our key approaches is we
want to have the ball and to be dominant. You will not see a Leeds United team
under my regime that is scared and parks the bus, as long as I’m in charge.
Farke on keeping the faith
After a loss it’s not like I want to hug my players and they
don’t want to hug me. What you have to show and what you have to be is care
about the situation. It’s the same with our supporters - they care about our
success. To win or to lose faith, I don’t have the feeling at all that they’ve
lost the faith. They showed with the lap of honour at the end of the game they
are behind us. Our feeling is unity.
Farke on beating Norwich already
Season before doesn’t count anymore, it’s a new competition.
90 points and unbeaten record and most clean sheets, two wins against Norwich
doesn’t matter anymore.
Farke on approach
It’s not that we press a magic button and do something
different, try to park the bus and put balls out the stadium - that’s not Leeds
United, that’s not my team. We want to be active against the ball, try to
sharpen our strength in the last days.
Farke on narrative and man management
Man management is always important in my role. Especially
when you work with a pretty young side, but I trust my players. It’s definitely
not about me or about playing chess with the opponent’s manager - it’s just
about the players. The manager is there to support them, back them and help
them, to make sure of the best possible training week. To have the right
exercises to make sure the spirit is there. This game won’t be won or lost by
whatever great or not that great decisions of a manager. It’s totally up to the
players.
Farke on Bamford absence
Important that others step up, some others will get our nod
and the whole squad has my backing and trust. We don’t feel too sorry for
ourselves.
Farke on James and Bamford
