Leeds United

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Daniel Farke has held his press conference ahead of Saturday's first competitive fixture between Leeds United and Harrogate Town.

The Yorkshire clubs meet in the FA Cup third round (17:45 GMT) and the German discussed a number of topics, here's a recap of the main points...

• Karl Darlow will start in goal after Illan Meslier's poor showing at Hull City. Farke gave a long answer on how he has dealt with Meslier and on his role in conceding at the MKM Stadium, but emphasised how highly regarded the 24-year-old is.

• Striker Patrick Bamford is out for four weeks with a hamstring injury. He may be back in training by the end of the month. Fellow forward Joel Piroe is struggling and will not face Harrogate. Max Wober (knee) is the other major injury concern. Junior Firpo, Pascal Struijk and Illia Gruev are all making progress.

• On the possibility of signing a striker, Farke said: "We have Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, perhaps even Willy Gnonto, but we're not in panic mode. I hope Patrick's rehab progresses well but he's been struggling with injuries over the season. We won't fall asleep until the end of January." He reiterated that he expects a "quiet" transfer window.

• On the possibility of striker Joe Gelhardt going out on loan: "It's important for their development. Joffy is one of the candidates. Who will go out, we will take the decision in the upcoming days, what is beneficial for us, not for other clubs." Farke added that Gelhardt is fine to speak to other clubs if he feels game time elsewhere may be beneficial but he, "hasn't made a decision yet".

• On League Two opponents Harrogate Town: "In the cup competition, everything is possible. We see many upsets and surprising results. You never take it for granted the favourite goes through. They will make it difficult, defend for their lives, cause problems on counter-attack. If we start like we did v Hull, it's difficult to go into the next round.

• In terms of his attitude to team selection for the cup tie, he added: "We will rotate a bit more than for a league game but we want to go through... We need to find a balance not to risk injured players but have a strong starting line-up on the pitch."

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

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Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes. Leeds United's Daniel Farke, Burnley's Scott Parker and Danny Rohl of Sheffield Wednesday are the four nominees for the Championship's manager of the month award for December.

Rangers started last month second from bottom of the Championship but took 11 points from six games to finish the year in 17th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Under Farke, Leeds went unbeaten through the month of December with five wins and one draw which left them top of the table at the end of 2024.

Burnley's amazing defensive record was once again to the fore last month as they conceded only three goals in their six unbeaten games, with three wins and three draws keeping Parker's side well in the race for automatic promotion.

Rohl has led Wednesday into the top half of the Championship and to the fringes of the play-off race.

The Owls came from behind to beat Derby and Oxford before recovering a 3-0 deficit at Middlesbrough to secure a 3-3 draw.

The winner of the award will be announced on Friday morning.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Rex Features

With his contract up in the summer, Sam Byram has told me that he is keen to remain at Elland Road.

"Obviously, I'd love to stay here," Byram, 31, revealed exclusively to BBC Radio Leeds.

"But it's not always in the control of the player. For this season my aim is to get Leeds promoted and whatever comes after that will come."

Byram admits that returning the club to the Premier League in his second spell at Elland Road would be the pinnacle of his career to date.

"I think with any sort of goal you're striving for, you never really focus on when it's there because you are trying so hard to get to it.

"If, and hopefully when, it comes then you really sit and reflect. For me, if we were to do that, I can't think of anything in my career that I would have done that could top that."

Former academy product Byram, who successfully marked Gareth Bale when then Championship Leeds beat high-flying Spurs 2-1 in the FA Cup twelve years ago this month, still has ambitions to win the famous competition.

United's campaign begins in the third round on Saturday when they host neighbours Harrogate Town of League Two (17:45 GMT).

"I'd love to win it," Byram said.

"I think if there's any team in the Championship that can step up with the Premier League teams in a one-off game then I think it's us that can do something.

"Everybody wants a cup run. For me and everyone else we want to see how far we can go."

Promotion and the little tin idol aloft at Wembley would be some season!

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.

Image source, Rex Features

Two Championship fixtures have been selected for free-to-air TV coverage in the coming weeks.

The all-Yorkshire game between Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road on Sunday, 19 January (12:00 GMT) will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX.

The Tees-Wear derby between Middlesbrough and Sunderland on Monday, 3 February (20:00 GMT) will also be screened live on ITV4 and ITVX.

It is part of an agreement between Sky Sports, ITV and the EFL , externalto give fans the chance to watch coverage of selected EFL and EFL Cup fixtures on free-to-air channels.

There are five straight days of free-to-air coverage of the FA Cup third round, from this Thursday, across the BBC and ITV.

The second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Tottenham at Anfield on Thursday, 6 February (20:00 GMT) will also be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX.

You can find all this week's fixtures here.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke wants a reunion with Nottingham Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele, whom he managed at Norwich and has been likened to Rio Ferdinand. (Leeds Live, external)

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson, who has been linked with Leeds forward Patrick Bamford, says he won't make signings for the sake of it this month. (The Leader, external)

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

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt is expected to leave the club on loan this month.

Gelhardt, 22, has started only one match this season - United's 3-0 defeat by Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup in August - and has rarely featured in Daniel Farke's matchday squad.

The deal may be dependant on the extent of Patrick Bamford's current injury, however, after the 31-year-old missed Leeds' trip to Hull at the weekend with a hamstring problem.

Hull are believed to be one of the clubs interested in Gelhardt, who has not scored for the Whites since August 2023.

Has the time come for Leeds boss Daniel Farke to make a change in goal after another high-profile mistake from Illan Meslier in the draw against Hull City?

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix give their take on the issue in the latest edition of BBC Radio Leeds' podcast Don't Go To Bed Just Yet.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has come in for criticism following more errors in the Whites' draw against Hull City.

Many now feel it is time for a change, or for the club to go and buy a new stopper.

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix give their take on the issue in the latest edition of BBC Radio Leeds' Whites podcast.

Episode 135 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.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

This January transfer window could be the most pivotal in the tenure of 49ers Enterprises. Leeds sit top, but only three points separate first and fourth, and there are areas where United could improve.

Despite conceding the third fewest goals in the Championship, Illan Meslier continues to frustrate. Meslier is underperforming on his expected saves (post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed.) He is 15th in the league for this metric and errors have cost valuable points.

Leeds' three rivals for promotion have goalkeepers who have saved their team expected goals – Sunderland (2.5), Sheffield United (5.0) and Burnley (6.7). Expected to concede 20.8 goals, Burnley have conceded just nine. Leeds have stuck with Meslier in recent seasons, but it feels like it is time to try someone else.

The loss of Georginio Rutter's creativity was a blow last summer. Leeds have scored the most goals in the league, but in games where the Whites are struggling to break teams down, Daniel Farke's tactic of replacing seemingly every midfielder and defender with attackers has had mixed results.

The addition of a creative number 10 would provide Farke with a different option when trying to unlock stubborn defences.

Issues with depth at full-back and centre-back might have to wait until the summer, but a few injuries in those key positions and United would be forced into playing youth players like 19-year-old James Debayo.

Finally, Leeds need a set-piece coach. With Joe Rothwell on corners the delivery has improved incrementally. But United still look bamboozled at times when attacking and defending set-pieces. The Whites have the most corners per match, and concede the fewest – they have to find a way to capitalise on this.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock., external

Derby are hoping to beat Sheffield United and Leeds to the punch and complete a loan deal for Louie Barry, who has been recalled by Aston Villa after scoring 16 goals on loan at Stockport in League One this season. (Yorkshire Post), external

Leeds are keeping tabs on Coventry midfielder Ben Sheaf, with the former Arsenal youngster expected to cost around £8m. (Leeds United News, external)

Whites forward Joe Gelhardt is expected to leave on loan this month after struggling for minutes this season, with QPR, Derby, Coventry, Plymouth and Portsmouth reportedly interested, though the 22-year-old could also have options overseas. (Darren Witcoop, external)

Under-fire United keeper Illan Meslier might be allowed to leave Elland Road this month, if the club receive an acceptable offer for the 24-year-old. (Daily Mail), external

Leeds are also reportedly interested in a move for Hoffenheim striker Mergim Berisha, a 26-year-old who has scored once in 17 appearances this season. (Football League World, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full EFL gossip column.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke says he will not criticise individual players after their 3-3 draw at Championship strugglers Hull City.

The leaders were 3-1 up with nine minutes to go before conceding twice, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier being criticised for Hull's first two goals.

"I would be a poor leader if straight away after a game I punished individual mistakes by my players in public – I'm not willing to do it," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.

"The players involved in the goals can't hide that they should have done better in those situations."

Leeds are one point clear at the top of the table having lost just one of their past 12 league games.

"Overall you have to say it's a sign of what we are - we are not the finished product which cruises through this league," added Farke.

"We are one of the youngest sides in the league and we don't play without making mistakes.

"A more experienced side at 3-1 up would have kept the ball and maybe scored a fourth goal but we allowed ourselves to not be switched on."

Leeds host Harrogate Town in the FA Cup third round next Saturday before returning to Championship action at home to Sheffield Wednesday the following Sunday.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says that he's "not a big fan" of the January transfer window and not to "expect much" in terms of incoming players.

The Whites are the current Championship leaders after collecting a point against Blackburn Rovers on New Year's Day and the German is confident his squad has the quality required to hold on to their position.

"I don't like when the group is too big," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Once everyone is fit and you have four players for one position, it could also be negative for the spirit and the togetherness.

"If you are forced to do something due to injuries or something is really missing in the group, then you have to react but when you're sitting at the top of the table - there can't be too much wrong."

Leeds saw their squad bolstered by the return of defender Max Wober on Wednesday, replacing Sam Byram for the second half.

It was only the fifth league appearance of the season for the Austrian after undergoing knee surgery in October and missing their previous three games with a related issue.

Leeds next visit Hull City on Saturday, 15:00 GMT.

You can listen to Farke's full pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds.

Leeds United will look to retain their place at the top of the Championship table when they visit struggling Hull City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

A point would be enough to see them stay at the summit but having conceded a late equaliser against Blackburn Rovers just two minutes after taking the lead, Leeds will be hoping to bounce back quickly.

Hull suffered defeat in injury time on 1 January as Middlesbrough's Alex Gilbert scored from close range to leave them 22nd in the table.

• Hull City have won just one of their last 11 league meetings with Leeds United (D3 L7), a 2-0 win at Elland Road in December 2018.

• Leeds United have recorded a clean sheet on each of their last four away league trips to face Hull City (W2 D2), never before keeping five straight on the road against a single opponent.

• Following a 2-1 win over Swansea before Christmas, Hull City will be aiming to win back-to-back home matches on a Saturday in the Championship for the first time since February 2024 against Cardiff and Millwall.

• Leeds United will be aiming to win three consecutive away league games for the first time since winning their first four such matches of 2024 between January and February.

• Leeds United are unbeaten in each of their last 16 Yorkshire derbies in the league (W12 D4) with the Whites winning more points in such fixtures since the beginning of last season in the EFL than any of their Yorkshire rivals (25).

Image source, PA Media

Leeds United topped the list for the most points collected in 2024 across the top four divisions.

The Yorkshire club took 96 points from 45 games to beat Wrexham, Wycombe Wanderers and Premier League leaders Liverpool for the top spot.

The 29 games won have helped them ease six points ahead of second-placed Wrexham, while they lost just seven league games throughout the year.

Promoted Championship side Derby County claimed the 10th spot.

Leeds United picked up nine points over Christmas week with wins against Oxford, Stoke and Derby.

That has seen them open up a small gap at the top of the Championship table.

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix reflect on a very merry Christmas for the whites.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.