The hope and the worry (part one)published at 15:49 23 May
15:49 23 May
Jonny Buchan, BBC Radio Leeds Sports Editor
Our BBC Radio Leeds team - who you'll no doubt be following on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast - are considering their points of hope and worry before the play-off final against Southampton.
Buchan's hope
Big-game players. It has been a theme on the podcast this season that we believe the squad has big-game players, hence league doubles over Leicester City and Ipswich Town. There is no bigger game than this.
Buchan's worry
If it doesn’t ‘click’. When Leeds have struggled this season it has been visible from the first 10-20 minutes of the game. If the ball doesn’t stick, if the press isn’t coordinated, if there are gaps in the midfield…. all of them are signs it might not be their afternoon.
Swansea old boys hoping to lift Leeds to Premier League published at 11:59 23 May
11:59 23 May
Image source, Getty Images
Wales defender Joe Rodon will be hoping the Swansea City connection proves key at Wembley this weekend as Leeds United bid for an instant return to the Premier League.
Leeds will be back in the top flight at the first attempt if they beat a Southampton side managed by former Swans boss Russell Martin.
Four former Swansea players are expected to be in United's squad for Sunday's Championship play-off final - Rodon, Dan James, Joel Piroe and Connor Roberts.
Piroe, who swapped the Swansea.com Stadium for Elland Road last summer, scored his 16th goal of the campaign in the decisive 4-0 win over Norwich in the second leg of the play-off semi final.
Wales stars Roberts - who is on loan from Burnley - and James came off the bench in that game, while defender Rodon started alongside another international team-mate, Ethan Ampadu.
It is a strong Welsh connection that could prove pivotal against Martin's Saints side, who are also hoping to bounce straight back to the Premier League.
"It's a massive occasion,” Rodon said on Leeds United TV.
“We are just delighted to give everything, especially something to look forward to for the whole club, for everyone involved."
Rodon was at boyhood club Swansea when they made the Championship play-off semi finals in 2020, before getting a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur later that year.
Since then he has only made 24 appearances for Spurs, spending time on loan at Rennes in France before signing up for a season-long stay at Leeds.
Sunday's game will be Rodon's 50th appearance for United - and the outcome could determine whether he joins Leeds on a permanent basis.
Either way, there is plenty of speculation he will leave Spurs this summer, having not made an appearance for them since May 2022.
For now, though, he is concentrating on getting Leeds back into the big time.
"We are going to be focused this whole week now and we are going to give everything and hopefully try and get over the line," he said.
Martin, of course, has other ideas. He is 90 minutes from managing in the Premier League for the first time after leaving Swansea last summer, with Wales' David Brooks among his forward options for the Wembley final.
"It would be the biggest achievement of my life outside being a father," he told Sky Sports News.
"The dream is to put this team out on to the biggest stage every week - to show how brave and good they can be. We're one game away from doing that.
"I'm really proud. The responsibility of leading this club is big anyway, and then to do it at Wembley is huge."
'We could be in for a real classic' - Benalipublished at 11:58 23 May
11:58 23 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Southampton defender Francis Benali has been discussing Sunday's Championship play-off final against Leeds on the Football Daily 72+ podcast:
"When you look at the league positions, third against fourth, you can have no arguments. It's a game I'm so excited for, I'm so pumped.
"I think it will be a very tough game for Southampton because, although we have beaten them home and away in the league I think a game like this is a complete one-off.
"There may be a little bit of a psychological element from winning those two games through the season but this is something unique and the prize we know is a huge one for both teams.
"It's going to be a game anyone would like to sit and watch. I don't expect it to be anything other than a game of high quality, full of excitement. We could be in for a real classic."
Leeds qualified for the play-off final by thrashing Norwich 4-0 at Elland Road while Southampton saw off West Brom at St Mary's.
Over the full season, Saints scored more goals 87 to 81 but also conceded 20 more than their Wembley opponents (63 to 43).
"I think Leeds have real threat about them - they're dangerous," said Benali. "We saw what they did to Norwich and they can blow teams away.
"Saints will have to be at their best to beat them on Sunday.
"That mindset and ability as a player and manager to handle the occasion is going to have a huge impact on the outcome."
"I think Russell Martin has done an outstanding job. There is a real identity to how they play and it's been so entertaining to watch them. That connection he has with the supporters, the players, the staff - there is a real positive down here on the South Coast.
'Once a Leeds fan, always a Leeds fan'published at 11:29 23 May
11:29 23 May
Image source, James Glover
Leeds United fan James Glover, who is originally from the Yorkshire city, will be making the trip to Wembley from Colorado in the US with his son Elliott for the Championship play-off final on Sunday.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, James said of his connections to the club: "Once a Leeds fan, always a Leeds fan. You can never give that up.
"I've tried to watch football, or soccer as they call it, over here. I'm in New Mexico a lot and there is a team down there I try and go watch but it's just not Leeds. It's always Leeds. It has always been Leeds. I think I remember my first game back in the 80s was against Leicester and that was before the family stand was even built and so I always followed Leeds. We always do, we watch every game.
"With all the American connections last year, it was weird because all of a sudden everyone started following Leeds. So even from a commercial aspect all the American connections from last year and now the American owners, it really helps build the brand over here. It is huge, everyone has a team, the Premier League is massive in the sates."
Scotland's provisional Euro 2024 squad announcedpublished at 11:13 22 May
11:13 22 May
'Full focus on second bite of the cherry' play-off final - Cooperpublished at 09:59 22 May
09:59 22 May
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United captain Liam Cooper believes the Whites must "keep cool heads" before their Championship play-off final against Southampton, as they hope to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
The 32-year-old centre-back insisted that the "focus" has been on the trip to Wembley since the start of this week, after manager Daniel Farke gave the squad "a couple of days off to just reset".
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Cooper said: "It has all been full focus from the start of the week. It is a big week for us - we know how big it is. Obviously, as the week goes on, it is going to build up and it is just about keeping cool heads.
"Whoever delivers on the day usually comes out victorious, so we will be looking to do that."
Cooper has made 284 appearances over a 10-year stint for Leeds, but he does not believe he will need to use his experience to lift the squad to victory.
"They are young and hungry," he added. "They have so much belief in themselves, so I don't think I have to do too much.
"They don't seem to feel pressure, these boys.
"It might be a bit different when they are doing the handshake and they realise what is at stake, but they are so free and they will play freely. It is an amazing group.
"Accumulating 90 points in a season was unbelievable. We know it didn't end as we wanted with automatic promotion, but finishing in the play-offs gives you a second bite of the cherry.
"We have got to approach it like we do any other game. Whoever plays better on the day, takes their chances and makes the least mistakes, will come out victorious.
"Whether I play 90 minutes, 120 minutes, two minutes or I don't get on at all - it is about what is best for the club and I will be doing everything I can to get the boys rallied and up for it.
Championship referees must learn from Gillettpublished at 12:21 21 May
12:21 21 May
Adonis Storr Fan writer
In the midst of the carnage, chaos and delight of the four-nil thrashing over Norwich in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg, there was one man on the pitch who went almost completely unnoticed – the referee.
Jarred Gillett was Australia's most successful official, winning their referee of the year award a record five times. Gillett has been part of the Select Group 1 referees in England for three years, and mainly officiates Premier League matches.
Had referees of the calibre of Gillett been officiating Leeds games this season, the Peacocks would perhaps not be in the Championship play-off final this Saturday at all – they almost certainly would have already been promoted.
"I have 12 apologising letters for offside goals not given and penalties not given," Daniel Farke said in the post-match news conference after the first leg at Carrow Road. And Farke may have another letter after that first leg as the Whites were denied a clear goal due to an incorrect offside.
Championship referees must learn from Gillett, because this game aside, the standard has been exceptionally poor this season.
Can Farke break Leeds' Wembley hoodoo?published at 12:41 18 May
12:41 18 May
Image source, Getty Images
Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix hopes Leeds United manager Daniel Farke can help get the Whites over the line in this season's Championship play-off final.
Leeds reached Wembley after Thursday's 4-0 thumping of Norwich City, but have not won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in five attempts.
"Any time I have been to see Leeds in a big game or a final, we haven't done anything," said Rix on on the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.
"With Farke this year, we have done things we don't normally do.
"Maybe Farke is the man to break the hoodoo and get us a win at Wembley.
"We are surely due some nice times at Wembley?"
BBC Radio Leeds sports editor Jonny Buchan appreciates the grandeur of the play-off final, which will be a first for many of Leeds' team, but believes the Whites have regained form at the right time.
"Think of this squad, not many, if any of them will have played at Wembley," he said.
"It's a massive occasion for everybody and for the players.
"They seem to have that little bit of bounce back in them and whoever Leeds face, they will be thinking: 'Oh, that's the Leeds of a little bit earlier in this calendar year. That Leeds that were in their pomp.'"
The Whites will face Southampton at Wembley on 26 May after the Saints beat West Brom 3-1 in their semi-final second leg on Friday.
Meanwhile, Wolves are set to sign Southampton and Scotland forward Che Adams, 27, on a free transfer, despite interest from Leeds and Everton. (Teamtalk), external
Who would Leeds rather face in the play-off final?published at 16:31 17 May
16:31 17 May
In the latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet: Leeds United podcast, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix react to the Whites' Championship play-off win over Norwich City and look ahead to the final.
Daniel Farke's team beat the Canaries 4-0 at Elland Road on Thursday to reach the Wembley showcase and, after gushing about the way Leeds blew Norwich away, attention turned towards the second semi-final, between West Brom and Southampton.
The Saints host the Baggies on Friday (20:00 BST kick-off) in the second leg, with the aggregate score at 0-0 after the first leg.
"I'd take West Brom right now," said Buchan of Leeds' potential opponents in the final.
"If you would give me the choice of them two, I would take West Brom.
"I think Southampton do have something about them that seemingly is able to get past Leeds. I know that Russell Martin doesn't particularly like Daniel Farke because Farke sort of pushed him out at Norwich, so will that play into it a bit?"
Pope agrees, outlining the need for Leeds to reach their best levels under the arch of the national stadium.
"In terms of a game, I think it would be cagier against West Brom than it would Southampton," he said.
"I think Southampton would be a more difficult opponent but it would be a more entertaining game.
"If Leeds are on it, firepower for firepower they are a better side. If they get anywhere near the level they did last night [against Norwich] they will turn anybody over."
'The pressure was on us' - Farkepublished at 07:32 17 May
07:32 17 May
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United boss, Daniel Farke, praised the "unbelievable atmosphere" at Elland Road for helping his side beat Norwich City 4-0 and book a place in the Championship play-off final.
"We should have scored more goals, if I'm really honest," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.
"I'm happy with the clean sheet and it was important at Carrow Road to return to our normal defensive behaviour and we carried that into tonight.
"Norwich tried everything to change the running of the game. Many compliments to my young side. I was a bit concerned because the pressure was a bit on us after the first game.
"I don't know what the average age of our team was tonight but the lads delivered in a perfect way for such a young side.
"This place is second to none when it really gets rocking. The atmosphere is unbelievable."
'Heart says yes... brain says no chance'published at 08:48 15 May
08:48 15 May
We asked you how you are feeling before Thursday's winner takes all play-off semi final second-leg at Elland Road.
Are you confident Daniel Farke's men can get you to the final?
Here are some of your comments:
Dave: The international break seemed to have knocked us off course and although my heart says yes, my head says we will miss out sadly.
Gray: Our only hope is for Bamford and Piroe to both be injured so we can play a centre-forward who can actually score goals. Step forward Mateo Joseph - this is your chance to write your name into Leeds United history.
Balboa: I would be hopeful if I could see where goals were coming from for Leeds. Aside from the freakish Middlesbrough game, we have scored two in six. Our best striker can not finish (and is regularly injured) and our best finisher does not work in our system. Adopting a 4-6-0 formation versus Norwich also suggests a conservative approach to the play-offs from Farke. I will say a 4/10 chance.
Vince: I have supported Leeds for 60 years, so my heart says yes of course we will be promoted. However, my brain says no chance. The obvious selection should be Southampton, as they have destroyed Leeds both home and away. Many of the players are underperforming, so maybe there are rumours of leavers and that is upsetting the others?
Ricky: A month ago I would have said Leeds would walk it against any opposition, but they have been pretty dire as the season drew to a close. I am banking on the players finding their mojo again in the nick of time and winning promotion!
Steve: I do not want to be negative, but as a 57-year-old Leeds fan, boy does my club test my patience! Sorry but we lose 1-2 on Thursday night, in fact make that 0-2 as I cannot see where our next goal is coming from.
Why early goal is 'key' to Wembley hopespublished at 16:02 14 May
16:02 14 May
Image source, PA Media
An early goal in the second leg of their semi-final tie with Norwich could be "key" to Leeds United's chances of progressing to the Championship play-off final.
Daniel Farke's side drew the first leg 0-0 at Carrow Road on Sunday and host the Canaries on Thursday, with the winners heading to Wembley to compete for a place in the Premier League next season.
"Leeds can absolutely win the second leg comfortably," said presenter Jonny Buchan on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.
"I didn't think Norwich were a very good side particularly - I didn't think Leeds were a very good side particularly - but I think Leeds went there with a different mentality to Norwich.
"The big positive was Norwich had to come out of the traps in that game, they had to start well and they did start better in the first 15-20 minutes, but they still didn't create a huge goalscoring opportunity.
"The difference on Thursday is Leeds will be expected to come out like that, but Norwich will not be expected to come out like that. If Leeds get that early goal, that is going to be key. If it's 35 minutes in and Norwich have ridden that storm, that's when things start to change in terms of how much Norwich will believe they can win.
"Look at [Norwich boss] David Wagner - he has got promoted through the Championship play-offs before [with Huddersfield in 2017] and he did without scoring goals and he did it on penalty shootouts. He knows how to set a team up to get to a penalty shootout in the second leg of the play-offs."
'Football authorities must crack down on tragedy chanting'published at 13:07 14 May
13:07 14 May
Adonis Storr Fan writer
Football authorities must crack down on tragedy chanting.
Shortly after the first leg of the Championship play-off semi final on Sunday, an image of a Leeds United fan with cuts to his face and neck was posted on X. This fan should have been celebrating a professional away leg performance by the Peacocks, instead he looked on in shock – as police made arrests – his white shirt covered in blood.
The incident allegedly involved tragedy chanting. “We came out of Carrow Road after the game to Chants of Turks with knives and Galatasary” the fan's son said in a tweet on X.
In August last year the Crown Prosecution Service updated its guidance on football-related offences, reconfirming that tragedy chanting can be prosecuted. The CPS cited Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight – the two Leeds fans killed in Istanbul – as an example of tragedy chanting in the announcement.
For any fan who lived through that night nearly 25 years ago, the image of a Leeds fan covered in blood is deeply upsetting. And while last year's updated guidance from the CPS is welcome – there appears to be a significant amount of work to be done.
Football authorities must crack down on tragedy chanting and do more to ensure the safety of fans.
