Daniel Farke has hinted at Patrick Bamford game time plan ahead of poignant Leeds United milestone — Leeds Live 12/4/25
The Leeds United manager hits a special landmark against Preston North End this weekend
Leeds United have not lost at home in the league since
September and so should be confident of beating Preston North End this weekend.
The players will have noted last night’s result for Burnley
and know that Sheffield United kick-off at Plymouth Argyle at the same time as
them this lunchtime. They also know that victory over Preston today keeps them
top.
Every game they can remain inside the top two is a massive
step forward with just four matches left after today, two of them coming at
Elland Road. The midweek result against Middlesbrough was significant on many
levels.
Not only going top, but Tuesday saw Leeds record their first
away win since that triumph over Sheffield United and their first away clean
sheet since Watford in February. But they are now back on home soil, where they
do their best work. Anything but a win will be disappointing and dangerous.
Coping without James
Daniel James is out of today’s match with a hamstring injury
and Daniel Farke says it will be a tight race to get him up to speed for the
games against Oxford United and Stoke City over the long Easter weekend. His
absence is a blow.
James’ two goals in his last two matches have been decisive
for Leeds, earning them four points. When the front line has struggled for
output, James has always seemed to produce something.
No other teammate has recorded more goal contributions this
season, tied with Joel Piroe on 21. Others will have to step up and it seems
Wilfried Gnonto may get the nod at right wing. He’s the most recent attacker to
score besides James.
Ramazani and Bamford usage
Largie Ramazani has been told to step up by his manager, who
wants him to show more reliability before he is given more game time. After
publicly challenging the winger, Farke directed him to give arm-raises together
to the away fans after full-time against Middlesbrough.
On Friday, the manager hailed the winger as a team player
and underlined how "tight" he is with squad. With James out and
Gnonto likely to start, it could be that Ramazani gets minutes from the bench.
Up top, Piroe is struggling for form, having not scored for
seven games - his worst streak this season. Many have been impressed by Patrick
Bamford’s output in his two substitute outings since his return from injury,
having a goal wrongly chalked off on Tuesday.
There are calls for him to start, albeit Farke said he was
mindful about managing Bamford’s load so soon after almost three months out.
Either way, it would be a surprise not to see him take to the Elland Road turf
for the first time since New Year’s Day at some point this weekend.
Farke's 100th game
It’s a ton up for Farke this weekend. The home game with
Preston marks his 100th competitive fixture as United boss and while he said
the job has not changed him personally, it has been eye-opening in one aspect.
“I've never experienced a club where all the staff members
are such diehard fans of the club they work for,” he said on Friday. “It's a
great set-up to work for.”
He boasts an astonishing record of never losing a Leeds game
in which his side have scored first. Three points on Saturday would take him to
57 wins out of 100, with just 17 defeats. But there is one feat he truly wants
on his Whites record.