Daniel Farke says Leeds United's misfiring players 'need praise and a hug' — Yorkshire Post 11/3/25
Daniel Farke says it is important to cut his Leeds United
players some slack after the Championship title race took another twist.
The Whites have been off-colour in their last two games and
while they salvaged a draw against West Bromwich Albion, they suffered a first
defeat in 18 league matches at Portsmouth on Sunday.
By the time they welcome a Millwall team who have beaten
them in league and cup this season on Wednesday, they could be out of the
automatic promotion places.
A win for Burnley at home to West Brom on Tuesday and/or a
positive result for Sheffield United at home to Bristol City would put them
above Leeds in the table.
Farke will trust his players – including by refusing to hide
Jayden Bogle for fear of a 10th booking in the last game it will carry a ban
in.
"On a normal day I would say Joel Piroe goes home with
two goals under his belt and if the referee is spot on and gives a penalty (for
a foul on Daniel James), he has scored every penalty for us, so it could have
even been three,” he argued.
"But what can I say? The same with Junior Firpo –
normally one against one with the goalkeeper he scores, or the chance against
the crossbar (goes in).
"Ao Tanaka didn't have his best day, he had a few
losses of the ball and could have been a bit more switched on defensively but
no problem.
"Ilia Gruev had one or two poorer performances away at
Sheffield (United) and Sunderland, but we still managed to win both games.
"Joe Rothwell was not perfect in our last home game.
"In these moments we stick to them, we believe in them
and we give them some praise and a hug.
"I'm pretty sure on Wednesday whoever I will pick will
produce a really good performance and make sure we go back to a successful
feeling in the dressing room."
Farke believes leaving Bogle out on Wednesday would be daft.
"If we save him right now he has already missed one game,” he said.