Leeds United

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Much is made of Leeds United's Welsh connections - 'The Taffia' as it is called - which now includes Charlie Crew alongside Karl Darlow, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Dan James.

On Sunday, some of those will be up against their compatriot who was largely responsible for securing Wales' improbable return to the Nations League's top tier on Tuesday.

Liam Cullen's first two international goals put Wales in front at half-time. His assist for Brennan Johnson helped provide the third before Harry Wilson cracked home a fourth in front of a jubilant Cardiff City Stadium.

It was a proud night for a proud Welshman who said he had dreamed of the moment "since I was kicking a ball really."

Cullen said: "I've always said I've wanted to play in a Swansea shirt and a Wales shirt as a senior and I want to score goals in the shirts as well. To get my first two tonight is a dream come true."

So what are Leeds facing in Tenby-born Cullen?

The 25-year-old striker came through the Wales youth set-up having worked with boss Craig Bellamy in the under-17s. Bar a half-season loan at Lincoln City, he has spent his entire playing career at Swansea. Part of the Swans' set-up since the age of eight, Cullen played for the under-18s at age 13.

His 17 goals in 21 appearances for the under-23s brought him to the fore and he made his senior debut in the 2019-20 season, going on to score the first of 23 goals in 133 appearances to date.

At club level he has hit the buffers recently having not scored for two months. Seeing his name in lights on the scoreboard on Tuesday night could not have come soon enough.

Cullen is no stranger to facing Leeds. So far he has tasted three defeats from three. The first was as a late substitute having watched one of the most iconic moments in United's recent history as former Swansea great Pablo Hernandez scored the only goal of the behind closed doors encounter to all but secure Leeds' return to the Premier League after 16 years.

Last season Cullen was on the wrong end of 3-1 and 4-0 scorelines.

As familiar as he may be to many on Sunday, Cullen knows he will have a job on to not only compete with, but overcome a defence which includes the likes of Joe Rodon.

The warrior centre-back refused to be bowed by a cut to his head in the goalless draw in Turkey. A week on, he will be keeping a keen eye on a rejuvenated Cullen as Leeds try to ensure a 10th Championship clean sheet.

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

Is Junior Firpo good enough to keep his place if Leeds United get promoted back to the Premier League?

The 28-year-old left-back, who signed from Barcelona in 2021, has been involved in 13 league matches so far this season and scored one goal.

When the Whites were in the top flight, he made 43 appearances but BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast panel were davided on if he has the qualities needed to compete in England's highest league.

"Firpo is really interesting," said Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix. "I think a lot of people would say no straight away to him starting, but last time in the Premier League, he never really had a run of games.

"We don't think he's that good at defending but he does do some other good things, so for that reason I think he would be worth a go.

"But he is also out of contract so he might not even get the chance!"

BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan replied: "You have just raised that he is not good at defending but when Leeds get back into the Premier League they will be doing a lot of defending!

"To me he would be a squad member, if he wants to be that, and Leeds would have to strengthen that position."

Listen to their opinions on the rest of the squad on BBC Sounds

Is it too early to be thinking about promotion?

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix discuss which of the current squad would be able to perform in the Premier League if they do go up this season.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Ever wondered what the hand signals that footballers use mean?

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has been explaining the secrets behind the gestures at set-pieces to comedian Joe Wilkinson.

Listen to My Mate's A Footballer on BBC Sounds

The final episode of My Mate's A Footballer series two has landed.

The tables have been turned for this special one-off episode, as Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford interviews comedian Joe Wilkinson.

Fellow comedians Ricky Gervais and Katherine Ryan also join the podcast to reveal all about the world of comedy and stand-up - from the best and worst parts of the job to what 'eating the floor' means.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Echo and the Bunnymen's lyrics "headless and all alone" will resonate with many a football supporter as they scream at their phone, laptop, TV or radio after a defeat or wretched performance.

But the reaction of some Leeds United fans suggests the time for losing one's mind amid your own private hell is not the sole preserve of the vanquished.

Boretress Elland Road is how one fan on BBC Radio Leeds' post-match Football Forum described the 2-0 victory over QPR on Saturday. On social media, Ben Brierley kind of agreed: "The football is boring but I want three points and to go up."

Manager Daniel Farke's style has United sitting in third, just two points off the summit and with the best goal difference in the division. Clarence Beaks is, therefore, more benign than others: "Going gung-ho at teams is not the answer. With DF we dismantle teams methodically."

But is it really time for Farke to bring on the dancing horses? The Big Top at Elland Road has seen enough one-trick ponies and clown-fest capitulations on and off the field to have supporters walking a verbal tightrope through the jibes of their rivals. Another circus is not welcome.

Farke's show may not have the audience gasping for breath throughout, but there is more than enough in it to sense there will be a grand finale worth waiting around for. In between, let the ringmaster decide when to juggle and when to unleash the big cats.

Maybe Melanie Firth on X has it about right: "Misery loves company. Maybe someone could write a song about that so we can all sing after another 'boring win'. Regardless of opinions on Farke and his football, he's delivering the results."

At some point this season, the head will be in the lion's mouth and then the jeopardy not currently felt will reappear for those who crave 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

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope says the atmosphere at Elland Road suggests not everyone is being "royally entertained".

Daniel Farke's side beat QPR 2-0 on Saturday to move two points behind the Championship automatic promotion places in third but some fans were not enthralled by the hard-fought win.

"The numbers [under Farke] stack up brilliantly," Pope told the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

"I'm one of these guys who can find beauty in a well constructed defence.

"What baffles me is - obviously after a defeat everyone is like 'get him out' and stuff' - but even after a routine 2-0 win it seems like nobody has enjoyed anything.

"You're thinking hang on, we're all saying [Ao] Tanaka is more attractive to watch, [Joe] Rothwell too, [Jaydon] Bogle has been great.

"It's a clean sheet. I am scratching my head. But, there is not the atmosphere in the ground that suggests that everybody has been royally entertained."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

For about 30 minutes of Leeds United's match against QPR on Saturday, despite leading by a goal and dominating the game, all you could hear were the away fans. "Where's your famous atmosphere?" rang out around the ground in thick cockney accents.

It is a legitimate question not answered easily. Is it ticket prices, modern football, recent seasons at Leeds, something else or a combination of all these things?

Early in the second half, a sustained chant of "we are the champions, champions of Europe" sparked the home fans back to life, but it was far from Beeston's boisterous best.

This season marks the 50th anniversary when United reached the peak of club football on a balmy night in Paris 1975, where they met Bayern Munich for the European Cup.

Leeds were denied a clear penalty when Franz Beckenbauer scythed down Alan Clarke without even a shoelace on the ball. And a legitimate United goal that was given was then overturned bizarrely after Beckenbauer's remonstrations.

The anger of 1975 has smouldered on in the form of the "champions of Europe" chant. The high watermark of Leeds' rich history still haunts the club - a point from which the Peacocks have never returned and seems as far away as ever.

The past few seasons have left their mark on the fanbase too.

Marcelo Bielsa's bubble burst, and that pain was compounded by another relegation and play-off final loss. Even for the hard hearts of Leeds fans, this has been a run of diminishing returns.

Daniel Farke's football has been criticised as "boring", but the defensive solidity of the German's style is key to his success. It is effective, if not always inspiring.

Perhaps only promotion will reignite Elland Road to what it once was.

Until then the atmosphere is still surviving on anger five decades old, echoes of a glittering past.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

The latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast is now available to download and listen to on BBC Sounds.

Why are some of the fanbase bored? Is winning enough, or is winning in style necessary?

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix discuss Leeds' 2-0 win over QPR at and ask why many left Elland Road feeling underwhelmed.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest My Mate's A Footballer podcast has landed and in this week's show Patrick Bamford and Joe Wilkinson chat Tony Pulis and managers before getting sidetracked and taking a deep dive into the art of set-pieces.

The pair also discuss Roy Keane, Steve McLaren and how many goals Bamford reckons he could score in Wilkinson's five-a-side team.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, PA Media

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Championship match against QPR at Elland Road (15:00 GMT).

Here are some of his comments:

• There are no fresh injury worries after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Millwall: "It seems like most of the players came through the game without major injury. There are one or two knocks and some tired legs. We have to see how they recover over the next 48 hours to be ready again in order to make some late decisions if we have to change it or mix it up. It seems like all the players who were with us will be available."

• How convinced is Farke that he sticks to his principles amidst criticism of being inflexible? The Leeds boss said: "You can't be like a flag in the wind. You have to stick to what you believe in. Just because you don't win a game doesn't mean you suddenly go to 4-4-2 and stick the ball up front. That's not us, nor the habits we work upon. You work over a season and good managers over years to develop a game."

• Farke spoke about Brenden Aaronson, who he said was the hardest-working player on the pitch at Millwall but can improve in the following areas: "Shooting - I want my number 10 to be with better concentration. Not shoot at the centre of the goal but choose one corner. Be convinced and a bit more tidy in the finishing. This is something he can definitely improve."

• Farke continued: "Also out of good intention he has so much energy, he has the intention to run a bit too much instead of waiting for the moment when the ball comes to him, let the opponent shift, then receive the ball in a much better position. If you play football with the pulse at 100 it's always difficult to be calm and composed in the moment. We are working on this but we don't want to take his strengths like his energy away.”

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, PA Media

The regular refrain from Leeds United supporters after failing to win a game this season is to shout at manager Daniel Farke or type in capital letters on whichever social media platform: "WHY DON’T YOU MAKE SUBS EARLIER?"

The perception for some fans is that Farke’s substitutions always come around the 70th-minute mark and that there is a stubborn adherence to the time he feels an intervention is required. After the full-time whistle, accusations of failing to manage or influence a game to a positive conclusion then follow.

(At this point it’s worth stating Leeds have only lost two Championship fixtures.)

In the immediate aftermath of the club’s first defeat on the road at Millwall - although many will disagree with him - Farke revealed why he was prepared to stick to his guns before bringing on winger Manor Solomon with around 20 minutes to go followed by two strikers eight minutes later.

"Not because we needed to change the rhythm of the game too much because we were all over them," he explained. That is why, while disappointed with the result, he was not upset with the performance. Why change when you believe what you are doing will prevail?

Farke went further: "The only problem was we weren’t effective in using our chances and that is why I didn’t make substitutions earlier."

With 75% possession, 14 shots and 27 touches in their opponents' penalty area, the statistics exist that show United’s dominance at The Den. A failure to convert and to react to a headed knockdown is the reality of why those numbers do not add up to three points and why they stay third in the table.

If Farke is a slave to his own rhythm, the drum he bangs remains in time with the promotion beat.

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

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United sit four points better off than at this stage last season after facing five of the current top 10 in as many games.

The tricky run came at a horrible time with injuries to key players like club captain Ethan Ampadu, and an energy-sapping international break for replacements like Ao Tanaka.

Manager Daniel Farke was forced to tinker with his team, but the Whites emerged with three away draws and two home wins.

Leeds are now arguably favourites to win what looks to be a weaker Championship this season.

Despite rallying, at this stage last campaign United were 14 points adrift of Leicester. After beating Plymouth Argyle last Saturday, the Whites are now just three points off top spot and have kinder fixtures to come.

In a busy final two months of 2024, Leeds will play 11 games. Seven of the 11 opponents are currently in the bottom half of the league and the way the fixtures have fallen has set United up to finish the year strongly.

The Peacocks have an excellent record against teams outside the top 10 - so far unbeaten and with 2.7 points per game.

December has always been a season-defining month and barring a couple of tricky away fixtures at Millwall and Blackburn, Leeds have every chance to start 2025 top of the Championship.

Optimism is beginning to replace a well-trained wariness among Leeds fans.

After the play-off final defeat and losing major players over the summer, the fear was that a footballing hangover could translate into a poor start to the season.

Leeds are well in contention and showing a professionalism that has come with experience and bringing in mature players over the summer.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external