Leeds United

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Top of the table Leeds United can secure a 12th home Championship win of the season when they face Norwich City on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Manager Daniel Farke addressed the media on Monday and here are the key lines from his press conference:

• In terms of team news, a late call will be made on midfielder Brenden Aaronson (ankle) but Farke is "carefully optimistic". Forward Manor Solomon is a doubt because of a hamstring problem and is rated 50-50.

• Farke was asked about what specific areas he's worked on with Willy Gnonto who, at 21 has made 100 appearances for the club. He said: "He takes on more responsibility and is much more professional, more mobile on the pitch and not too static like a winger just waiting to get the ball. He is much more lively and adventurous. Only thing lacking a little bit at the minute is end product, something he can add."

• On former club Norwich City and any vulnerabilities that may exist because of injuries, suspensions and inconsistent form, Farke said: "They'll be highly motivated, especially in an away game when not under that much pressure. I'd compare them a bit like Sheffield Wednesday who go for it and play with intensity and want to press high. I think they'll be desperate to look for late push into the play-offs."

• Farke outlined his relationship with Alex Davies (head of scouting) and Adam Underwood (head of football operations) is "perfect" and highlighted how they have "white blood in their veins having served with the club in other roles for a number of years.

• On the prospect of young defender James Debayo going out on loan, Farke said: "With Pascal Struijk out at the moment and the availability of Max Wober, I'm a bit careful in doing this. It would be beneficial for James perhaps but also in terms of quality numbers, the group is not getting too small. It's a possibility but at the moment I would say a small possibility."

• Meanwhile, Farke would not confirm if striker Sonny Perkins will make his loan deal into a permanent signing at Leyton Orient. "I prefer to focus on the players who are here."

• Regarding Junior Firpo's contract talks, he said: "There are too many matches for that at the moment and also wanted him to concentrate on his rehab then finding his rhythm back. January is not the time to speak about this. Recruitment is pretty busy but there will be more relaxed times during the season to speak about it."

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship with a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix reflect on that win, the return of goalkeeper Illan Meslier and how can boss Daniel Farke get Largie Ramazani into the starting line-up?

Episode 137 of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet is out now and you can find it on the BBC Sounds app, or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United do not need to worry about studying the Championship table, says defender Joe Rodon.

Sunday's 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday sent Daniel Farke's side back to the summit, above Sheffield United, with just three points separating the top three.

"We know where we are and the position so we don't need to look at that too much - the most important thing is the next game," Rodon told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Wednesday's game is the focus and that's all we look at - we worry about ourselves."

The victory at Elland Road extended Leeds' unbeaten league run to nine games as they prepare to host Norwich City on Wednesday before a trip to promotion rivals Burnley next Monday.

"We want to keep putting in performances for our fans at home and build that momentum," added Rodon.

Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport England at Elland Road

Image source, Rex Features

Crisis, what crisis?

Leeds boss Daniel Farke had given his full backing to goalkeeper Illan Meslier after he came under criticism for his mistakes in the 3-3 draw at Hull City in the Championship a fortnight ago.

The German stuck with his number one, as he said he would, and was rewarded with a largely solid display from his keeper.

Leeds were fairly unspectacular for much of Sunday's win but they did what they needed to do and are now unbeaten in their past 18 Yorkshire derbies.

They kept the Owls at arm's length for much of this game, with Farke praising their "perfect defensive behaviour" and Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon at centre-back ensured Meslier had little to do.

Largie Ramazani made a great impact from the bench with a well-taken goal and an assist for Ao Tanaka's lovely flicked finish in added-on time. The Japan international once again looked a cut above.

The Whites are now three points clear of third-placed Burnley and will look to drive home that advantage when they welcome mid-table Norwich on Wednesday, before a trip across the Pennines to face the Clarets next Monday.

Leeds United, Sunderland, Coventry City and Swansea City are all tracking Oxford United midfielder Tyler Goodrham. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.

Image source, PA Media

Leeds boss Daniel Farke was delighted with his side's efforts both in and out of possession after they went top of the Championship with a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Whites had conceded three goals in their 3-3 draw at Hull City in their last league game.

"I'm pretty happy with the game today. They're a brave side who play with intensity," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It's a well-deserved win because we returned to our best defensive play.

"When you score your second goal late then it's always a close game and we had to be turned on.

"Overall, it was a convincing win and a return back to perfect defensive behaviour. It was a mature performance.

"It's our 15th clean sheet this season and I expect us to defend well."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Illan Meslier can't seem to catch a break this season, or much else for that matter.

Goalkeeping blunders against Portsmouth, Sunderland, Preston North End and now Hull City have arguably cost Leeds United eight points so far.

Meslier's 81st-minute mistake at Hull sparked an outburst from defender Joe Rodon – Leeds led 3-1 in the 80th minute and went on to draw 3-3.

A user on X replied: "I don't think I've ever seen players crowd their own keeper like this before" to the clip which has now been viewed over eight million times.

Perhaps Rodon and some other team-mates are fed up with Meslier letting them down. There are only so many times that they can turn a blind eye.

They consoled him after his howler at Sunderland back in October. Leeds led 2-1 in the 97th minute, only to draw 2-2 – as what should have been an easy claim for the Frenchman somehow slipped through his hands.

For me, Meslier isn't reliable enough and hasn't been for the most part of two years now.

Once a promising young goalkeeper we called 'Iceman', pivotal in our first Premier League season under Marcelo Bielsa – now a hindrance.

It has reached a point where even the simplest save is sarcastically cheered around me now.

Meslier is ranked the third worst goalkeeper in Europe for conceding more goals than expected since his debut – a PSxG of -35.0.

He has also prevented the least number of goals among goalkeepers in the Championship top four, despite Leeds being top.

It suggests not only a lack of confidence in him across the board, but a lack of confidence in himself, and if that is the case then is Daniel Farke's decision to keep him between the sticks a wise one?

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Rex Features

Boss Daniel Farke has held his pre-match press conference looking ahead to Leeds' return to Championship action against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday (12:00 GMT) at Elland Road.

Here are the main headlines:

• Defender Pascal Struijk will be out for a minimum of three weeks with a hamstring injury. Depending on the severity of the problem Farke says he could be out for several months.

• Top scorer Joel Piroe is back in full training after a muscle problem and is available to face the Owls. Patrick Bamford (hamstring) is still recovering. Farke says there is no panic to make a move in the transfer window but the way he talked about the injury to Struijk suggests that they may be keen to bring in another defender if the opportunity arose. "If we would be in panic mode, the prices of our targets go up, but we are not in panic mode," he said.

• On Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Crew loans, Farke said: "With Charlie we had the decision after Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu came back. It makes sense right now that he gets some minutes and grow in his personality. [Joe] has been struggling for game time for months. His behaviour was always professional but due to our offensive options it was quite often the case he's not even in the squad. A player at his age, it's important to create value for us and find his rhythm back to improve as a player."

• On interest in his players: "Except for Joffy (Gelhardt) no one has been in my office in order to ask to leave. We didn't have to reject any offer."

• On Sheffield Wednesday's improvement since Leeds beat them at Hillsborough: "They were involved in the relegation battle last season. Danny Rohl has done a fantastic job to keep them up, in good position in mid-table, [with a] chance to push for top six. They're an in-form team, always plays with intensity and spirit on the pitch, a group on the pitch with togetherness. Good balance with experienced Championship players and good young players. They play with bravery and we have to be on it to cement and stabilise our position."

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds United are looking into a possible loan deal for Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho amid rumours of an exit for Patrick Bamford. (The 72, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip here.

League leaders Leeds United welcome Sheffield Wednesday as the Whites look to stay on top of the Championship on Sunday afternoon (15:00 GMT).

Leeds are on a nine-match unbeaten streak but struggled to find a goal against League Two's Harrogate Town before winger Largie Ramazani's header in the second half of their 1-0 FA Cup victory.

The Owls are coming off the disappointment of faltering to Coventry City in their FA Cup penalty shootout.

The South Yorkshire side are currently residing in 10th on the league table and a win could see them in the mix to compete for a play-off spot.

• Leeds United have won each of their past two league games against Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 and will be looking to win three in succession against the Owls for the first time since April 2000 in the Premier League (4).

• Sheffield Wednesday have lost just one of their past four away league games against Leeds United (W2 D1), conceding just two goals in total across those matches and keeping clean sheets on each of their last two visits to Elland Road.

• Leeds are unbeaten across their past 17 league games against fellow Yorkshire sides (W12 D5), keeping 11 clean sheets during that time and conceding more than one goal in just one of those matches.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won five of their past eight away league games (D1 L2), as many as their previous 14 matches on the road (D1 L8).

• Joel Piroe is Leeds United's top scorer in the league this season (10) and is the only player to net 10+ goals in each of the past four Championship seasons (2 at Leeds, 2 at Swansea).

Leeds want to sign versatile Plymouth wing-back Bali Mumba to aid their promotion push this month. (Leeds United News, external)

The Whites are ready to let veteran French midfielder Josuha Guilavogui return home to join Paris FC just three months after his arrival at Elland Road. (Football League World, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United lead the Championship's scoring charts with 48 goals this season, yet there is a constant concern about the lack of a number nine regularly finding the net.

Mateo Joseph busted a gut to discover the Midas touch in front of goal against Harrogate Town in the FA Cup after being given another chance to start by manager Daniel Farke.

He failed to make contact with a great cross at the near post which he then struck moments later. It was almost cruel as Joseph laboured too hard thereafter to add to his two strikes this season, the last of which came three months ago in the 2-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Since then, 17 appearances later, admittedly 13 of which have been from the bench, he has yet to add a third.

You feel there is a lot of goodwill towards the 21-year-old forward who struck twice at Chelsea in the FA Cup last season to not only announce himself but suggest he could be the main man, certainly in the Championship.

Having started as first choice, he has essentially fallen behind Joel Piroe in the pecking order, and the Dutchman is already into double figures.

However, Joseph has kept a returning Patrick Bamford at bay even when the once-capped England international had recovered from another injury before being side-lined again with a hamstring problem which is set to keep him out this month. Bamford has started just one of the eleven matches he has featured in this term and has failed to trouble the net.

Out-of-favour Joe Gelhardt, despite Bamford's continuing woe, has been allowed to complete a loan move to Hull City. With two and a half years left on his contract and just two league starts under Daniel Farke since the German arrived in the summer of 2024, Gelhardt needs games. He has not scored for almost 18 months.

It leaves United light in the striker department although Farke insists the club "will stay awake" while reiterating he expects "a quiet window". Goals are coming from elsewhere in Brenden Aaronson and the wide men but, for some, there is a feeling Leeds could be caught waiting in the wings with promotion in sight.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00 GMT, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is on a "long list" of players Blackburn Rovers are looking at as potential signings in January. (Lancashire Telegraph), external

Hull City are close to the loan signing of Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt - who was wanted by ambitious League One side Wrexham. (Goal), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip here.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke made eight changes against Harrogate Town in their FA Cup Yorkshire derby but did the players brought in impress?

Keeper Karl Darlow kept a clean sheet amid questions over Illan Meslier's first-choice status, while defender Josuha Guilavogui might have had a lucky escape when Harrogate's Josh March went down in the penalty box.

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix offer up their opinions on the quality on show in the latest edition of BBC Radio Leeds' Whites podcast.

Episode 136 of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet is out now and you can find it on the BBC Sounds app, or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

After a typical little burst of speed and chipped cross from Manor Solomon on Saturday afternoon, Largie Ramazani converted the easiest of headers to score his fourth goal for Leeds.

It was a fine reward for the Belgian's work-rate throughout the game against Harrogate.

Ramazani's United career hasn't really taken off yet.

Frustrated by an ankle ligament injury in October, his bright start of three goals and an assist in his first eight games was cut short.

What the Whites have been missing was seen against Harrogate Town, energy, a directness when attacking and a hunger for goals.

Per 90 minutes, only Joel Piroe has had more shots than Largie this season.

In a side that is accused of trying to pass the ball into the goal, he is one attacker who offers something different.

"It feels great to be back on the pitch and get a goal" said Largie in a post-match interview, "it was a frustrating period for me, obviously with the injury. I'm trying to get back my confidence and the form that I had."

Daniel Farke was questioned why he didn't play youth players like Charlie Crew and Joe Gelhardt – who are going out on loan to get minutes.

The Leeds manager instead saw the cup game as a chance to give players returning from injury a run out.

"To have the feeling of being part of the group again after a long injury, to be back on the pitch, to have the first game under the belt – it is priceless" said Farke following Saturday's game.

Along with others on the way back like Isaac Schmidt, Junior Firpo and Illia Gruev, Ramazani's return gives Leeds a welcome boost, heading into a tricky 2025, with only three points separating the top four of the Championship.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds United are not looking to sell forward Wilfried Gnonto amid interest from Saudi Arabia. (Football Insider, external)

Hull City are closing in on a loan deal for Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt that will see him join the Tigers for the remainder of the season. (Hull Live, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip here.

Hull City are set to beat Luton and Wrexham to the capture of Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt on loan for the rest of the season. (Football League World, external)

Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.