Leeds United

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Leeds United are preparing to host a "strong and solid" Plymouth side at Elland Road this weekend, and centre-back Pascal Struijk has been discussing how he plans to mark Argyle's Morgan Whittaker.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Struijk said it will be a good opportunity for Daniel Farke's side to get back to winning ways after a goalless draw at Bristol City last weekend: "I remember last season it was always tough games against them, but I actually didn't play against them [because of injury].

"I watched the games on the TV or in the stadium and they looked like they were a strong and solid side.

"I think we will dominate the ball for most of the game and then we will have to see what they do defensively and also on the counter-attack. We have to be aware of that. We have to finish our chances."

On marking Whittaker, who has scored three goals in 12 Championship appearances so far this season, Struijk added: "I always do a scouting report where I go through the player, so I probably know from that what he likes to do, what he won't like as much and where his strengths are.

"Everybody who is dealing with him will know that he is a threat. He has a lot of attacking qualities, like we all saw last season. I think he has lots of goal involvements, so we need to be wary of that.

"As long as we take control of him, we can take control of the others - so hopefully we get a good result."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been speaking before his side take on Plymouth at Elland Road on Saturday.

Farke says Max Wober is back in full training but is not ready for 90 minutes of action.

Joe Gelhardt (hip), Patrick Bamford (adductor) and Dan James (hamstring) are doubts to face Plymouth and will have late fitness tests.

Junior Firpo is available after suspension but Jayden Bogle will serve a one-match ban. Sam Byram appears likely to start for a second game in a row.

Listen to Farke's news conference in full on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of My Mate's A Footballer is now available on BBC Sounds.

Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford reveals all about ball boys being given tactical instructions from managers, how security guards get involved in tunnel bust-ups and - in the spirit of Bonfire Night - what measures are put in place to stop fireworks being set off at football grounds.

Comedian Joe Wilkinson also discusses the vacant backroom staff roles at Leeds to see which one he would be best suited to - from fitness coach to bus driver.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Pascal Struijk has said it is "an honour" to lead Leeds United in the absence of club captain Ethan Ampadu, who is out until at least the start of 2025 with a knee injury.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Struijk said: "When I was younger, I always said no to being captain. I never saw myself as the talking type but the longer I have stayed here and the more I have played, the more I enjoy seeing what I can do to influence other people.

"It is an honour to wear it. It gives me good responsibility. I'm up for the challenge.

"I was more of an introvert when I came to the club but that has gone a little bit out of the door because I can't be like that when I have to be a leader on the pitch.

"I would have thought it was impossible [to become captain], but I'm grateful for all of the steps I have made so far and the people who have helped me along the way."

The 25-year-old defender is "happy" with the minutes he is getting this season, after suffering with a groin injury which kept him out for a large part of last season.

He added: "The end of last season was tough, especially not being there for the team and not being involved because of the injury.

"My main goal was to come back this season - fresh, strong, healthy and ready to play. I'm happy with the minutes I'm getting because playing football always makes you feel good. The more I can do it, the better for me."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

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Leeds United's control of games in the Championship this season is thanks in large part to their dominance in the middle of the pitch. Leeds sit top for "touches in midfield" and have 500 more than Burnley, who are second for that metric.

For most of the season, Leeds and Wales captain Ethan Ampadu and Bulgaria international Illia Gruev defined that dominance in central areas, but losing both within 70 minutes of football has not even broken their stride.

In Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka, United could not have asked for more from squad players stepping into starting roles.

The midfield partnership began 20 minutes into the Whites' away trip to Norwich on 1 October. The pair have faced four of the top 10 in their first five games together, winning two and drawing three. The run included tricky away fixtures at Norwich, Bristol City and Sunderland - all unbeaten at home.

Tanaka's form has been particularly impressive. Despite a gruelling 18,000-mile round trip during the international break, arriving back in Leeds for one training session before a Friday night derby against Sheffield United, Tanaka won the man of the match award. Four days later, the Japan international won the man of the match award again, this time against Watford.

His team-mates have nicknamed him "Tiger Tanaka" after the James Bond villain, but Daniel Farke was quick to correct this in his post-Watford news conference.

"No, he is James Bond. He saved the world today. Steel. Crucial and decisive duels. He was James Bond for us."

Ably assisted by a series of excellent performances from Rothwell, and having settled quickly, Leeds' new midfield will be crucial to their winter form. And despite the signing of free agent Josuha Guilavogui, they cannot afford any more injuries in midfield.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

In the latest episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet, BBC Radio Leeds' Jonathan Buchan and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix have a look at how the team is coping with the injuries they have and discuss the signing of Josuha Guilavogui.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast has landed.

This week Adam Pope is away, so Jonny Buchan and the Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix discuss Leeds' draw at the weekend with Bristol City.

Simon believes despite "the good chances, there were quite a lot of people off it," but also thinks Leeds are now approaching a good run of fixtures where they can pick up some more victories.

They also speak about the "sensible" new signing Josuha Guilavogui and what the club should do in January with Manor Solomon. Should they terminate the winger's loan and look at bringing someone else in?

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Daniel Farke says he wants new Leeds United signing Josuha Guilavogui to act as 'mentor' as well as provide cover in midfield.

Before the media to preview Saturday's trip to Bristol City, the Leeds boss spoke at length about what the France midfielder will provide at Elland Road.

"We are all happy and pleased that it was possible to bring him in," Farke said. "I spoke about the profile [of player] I wanted. In October, it's always difficult. He brings quality and in a position we need.

"Naturally, a holding midfielder who is pretty physical and has good defensive skills. He has also played a lot in the centre-back role. He adds a bit of experience which we could do with in the dressing room.

"He one hundred per cent understands his role. He hasn't been training with a team for the past few weeks and months but is in good shape."

Guilavogui has played only six minutes of football since the end of March, making just 12 appearances for Mainz last season.

However, before that he clocked up 265 appearances for Wolfsburg and has seven caps for France. Farke is confident he will settle in quickly at Leeds.

"He was totally convinced of taking this role, almost as an emergency case," the boss said. "We spoke quite openly about what we want to see, and to be a mentor for the younger players and help develop them. Perhaps if a younger player isn't prepared or struggling under pressure, this is a guy who won't crack under pressure, even in an away stadium.

"He's an unbelievable guy. Everyone who has worked with him was full of praise for his character. He was captain for more or less every team he's played for, that already says enough.

"He speaks many languages. He speaks with Mateo [Jospeh] in Spanish, speaks German, speaks with Illan [Meslier] in French and his English is very good. I'm pretty impressed.

"He's available to play [against Bristol]. Obviously when you haven't trained for several months with a team, then you can't be 100%. But he's an experienced and professional guy and has worked a lot on his fitness levels.

"He has a proper CV. He has played over 200 times in the Bundesliga, more than 100 times in Ligue 1 and has played seven times for France in a time when they were dominating European football.

"You don't win this in the lottery, you have to be a really decent player to do this. He has more than 40 games in Europe. He was excited by our prospect and the package has attracted him."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before their trip to Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• On the signing of Josuha Guilavogui: "We are all happy and pleased that it was possible to bring him in. I spoke about the profile [of player] I wanted with a new signing. In October, it's always difficult. He brings quality and is in a position we need. He is naturally a holding midfielder who is pretty physical and has good defensive skills."

• On Largie Ramazani's injury: Sadly, it's bad news with him. We have assessed him and it's a serious ligament injury. He doesn't need surgery but he will be out for four to six weeks."

• On who will replace Ramazani in the team: "We have Daniel James and Manor Solomon [back]. It will take them a little bit to be back to 100% but it's at least good to have them as options."

• On the timescale of longer term injuries: "What would be realistic for [Ethan Ampadu] is to have him available for January. If he can return in December, it would be a nice little surprise. [Ilia] Gruev will definitely not come back in 2024. [Max] Wober is a bit ahead of schedule and could join us in team training next week. We'll see if he can be available before the [November] international break. It looks OK with him."

• On the challenges of having multiple languages, nationalities and cultures in the Leeds squad: "Football can be a good role model for our society. We can live together peacefully and I don't believe too much in passports. To have a good spirit is the key to success. This has nothing to do with passports. It's important to have good principles, for example we want everyone to understand what we're talking about, so we all speak in English in the dressing room."

Listen to full commentary of Bristol City v Leeds from 12:30 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio Leeds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

For the first time this season in the Championship, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke will have to make a change to his back five at Bristol City on Saturday.

Left-back Junior Firpo picked up a fifth caution in the midweek victory over Watford and will serve a one-match suspension for having done so within the first 19 league fixtures. Sam Byram or Isaac Schmidt are waiting in the wings to step in.

In an age when yellow cards are shown more freely there is an argument the law needs changing to up the threshold. With just 11 games played, Farke looks likely to soon have more enforced partnerships in front of Illan Meslier, with both Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle one caution away from bans.

The arrival of free agent and former France international Josuha Guilavogui will provide defensive cover, despite the 34-year-old essentially being a midfielder.

Led by the imperious Pascal Struijk as captain, six clean sheets in the past 10 games have provided an impressive amount of concrete under the dance floor upon which the flair players are strutting their stuff - and strut it they have despite a lack of consistency in selection in the exciting final third.

The sale of Georginio Rutter to Brighton after the campaign began, along with injuries to Dan James and Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon has meant that only Willy Gnonto has been named in every starting XI bar the League Cup defeat by Middlesbrough.

Yet, despite the disruption, the chances have flowed and the goals too, with 15 having been shared between the attackers when you include Largie Ramazani and Joel Piroe. With Patrick Bamford yet to score having only been used as a substitute in the Championship this term it leaves Solomon the only one of the starters at the club yet to open his tally.

The Israel international, who replaced the injured Ramazani (ankle) in midweek, feels he will contribute soon: "I'm back after a few weeks because of a small injury in training one month ago. It stopped my momentum. It's behind me. I want to get more minutes and show a better version of myself. I'm not at the top of the game yet but I'll get there."

Solomon has acknowledged the intense nature of the second tier having come from the Premier League. He also feels he has a job on his hands to stay in the side when all his team-mates are fit. "We have four wingers with top quality. It's a fair competition and the best will play."

As to whether he is part of a squad best suited to win the title, Solomon was cautiously optimistic: "I can't tell yet. I haven't faced all the teams so far. When I've seen everyone I will give you an answer.

"But, definitely, we are one of the top sides in the league. We have a great team, a great manager and we have the players and everything we need to go up."

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

In the latest My Mates A Footballer, Patrick Bamford introduces former Leeds United team-mate Luke Ayling to comedian Joe Wilkinson.

Ayling discusses a storied career that began at Arsenal before ending up under Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough and reveals why he loves playing for the former Manchester United midfielder.

He also reveals why Bamford was known as a 'Trojan' after he joined the Whites and how Thierry Henry 'ended' his Gunners career.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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After Leeds United signed 34-year-old former France international Josuha Guilavogui on a contract to the end of the season, we asked you for you views on the new arrival.

Here are some of your comments:

Josh: Physical presence, midfield and defensive cover, experience at high levels in Europe. What more could we ask for? Can hopefully help guide the youthful midfield and ensure this season we go up without the stress of the play-offs.

Robert: What harm can signing him do? He is very experienced and can play in multiple team positions (hopefully ALL at once!), if the injury's continue to mount up. Good luck to the lad.

David: Given his career to date is likely to be a competent Championship player, hence being signed to the end of the season. I hope he proves to be a step up and solves more problems than he presents. At 6ft2in he could be a threat at set-pieces. If he’s just a cheap option, it will be harder to sustain a promotion push if we have injuries.

MCG: Added experience to the squad can only be beneficial but I would much prefer to provide opportunities to young talent (like Charlie Crew) who know the club, the system we play and have a commitment to the future. We should be giving people like him more minutes and experience to enable them to be better prepared to fill in if needed.

Eric: At 34 years old, will he have the legs to go the distance and how susceptible will he be to injuries? He sounds like a pleasant guy, but until we see how he plays and fits in with Leeds' style we won't know. From what I have seen so far, Tanaka and Rothwell are doing a sterling job for the injured Ampadu and Gruev.

Leeds United's Patrick Bamford has been speaking about the infamous 'spy-gate' incident during Marcelo Bielsa's time at the club.

Speaking on the latest of BBC Sounds' My Mate's A Footballer podcast, Bamford explains how opponents predicted line-ups were always correct and that the players had no idea the spying was happening.

Listen to a full episode here

Image source, Leeds United

So, Leeds United have signed 34-year-old former France international Josuha Guilavogui, who can play in both defence and midfield, on a contract to the end of the season.

Daniel Farke's squad has been hit with a series of key injuries in the early part of the season, with club captain Ethan Ampadu, centre-back partner Max Wober and holding midfielder Illia Gruev among the long-term absentees.

Given the squad has been light in some areas, the signing of free agent Guilavogui - who has played for clubs including Saint-Etienne, Atletico Madrid and Wolfsburg - could be just what the Whites need as they continue their early bid for promotion.

Is he the man your side needs, Leeds fans? Are there other areas of the squad that need strengthening to sustain a challenge? Tell us here, external

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

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Last week Leeds United’s chief executive Angus Kinnear and chairman Paraag Marathe gave a ‘behind closed doors’ question-and-answer session with Leeds United Supporters Trust members.

What should have been a real opportunity to engage with fans in an honest way, felt like a rushed, box-ticking exercise, full of practised PR responses that left more questions than answers.

It is in the public interest for the competence of football club’s custodians to be scrutinised. However, in refusing to speak to journalists, Kinnear has made that scrutiny impossible.

Communication is key to any relationship but the connection Leeds fans have felt to the people behind the scenes at their club has weakened since the dismissal of Marcelo Bielsa.

As much as tactics, Bielsa’s epic news conferences felt more like lectures on the need to put fans first in modern football. Daniel Farke could never be expected to compete with the Argentinian, but Bielsa leaving caused a communication void.

It is difficult to disentangle Kinnear from the mistakes of the previous Andrea Radrizani regime. His Square Ball interview, coupled with previous communication gaffes – like comparing an independent football regulator to the regime that oversaw the largest famine in human history – have not helped his standing.

Meanwhile, Marathe’s communication style seems similar to the one Jesse Marsch employed when he was Leeds manager. Impossibly positive and slick corporate language that talks around subjects in platitudes. It grated on many Leeds fans when employed by Marsch and I have not seen evidence of it working for Marathe.

Leeds fans have been badly burnt in the past: Peter Risdale, Ken Bates, GFH Financial Group and Massimo Cellino - among others - have left the fanbase more distrustful than most. 49ers Enterprises and Red Bull have a lot of work to do to assuage fan fears at Leeds.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds United and their fans can be "content" with the club's start to the season as they sit third in the Championship after the first 10 games, says the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan, Adam Pop and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix have been comparing the side's campaign so far to this stage last year.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds