Is Leeds United boss Daniel Farke "tactically inept"?
In the latest episode of the BBC Radio Leeds Podcast Don't Go To Bed Just Yet, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix discuss that all-important question following the defeat to Burnley.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix spoke to the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast about Leeds' next match in the Championship against Burnley on Saturday:
"When we played Hull, we said we wouldn't swap any of our players for theirs. With Burnley, it's much more of a test and they have decent personnel. They should come and give Leeds a good game.
"They've had a bit of an up-and-down start and are in a similar place to us. I think it will be a good test and show us where we're at. A win [would get] everyone excited.
"I saw something that said Leeds have got the most expensive squad [in the Championship] - in terms of how much it's worth rather than how much we paid for it. I think Burnley were second but ours was worth around £40m more.
"It does feel like our squad should be a match for anyone in the Championship on paper."
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesLeeds United winger Largie Ramazani spoke to BBC Radio Leeds about his first experience at Elland Road:
"I got goosebumps when they scored the first goal. I thought it was crazy! It was a great experience.
"When I played at the Bernabeu [with Almeria], it wasn't intimidating. It was loud but it wasn't as loud as Elland Road.
"I've always wanted to play in England, especially the Premier League. I think coming to Leeds is a great opportunity. We know the objective is to get promoted and I think we're going to achieve that.
"Training has been really fun and the lads have welcomed me really well."
Patrick Bamford has been speaking on the latest episode of BBC Sounds' My Mate's A Footballer podcast about the time Leeds' kitman forgot the player's shin pads before a game and how he had to rectify it.
"This was around four years ago, we played Fulham away, we got to the changing rooms at the stadium and we had no shin pads," recalls Bamford.
"He [the kitman] had to go to the nearest shop and buy a load of shin pads."
Comedian and co-host of the podcast Joe Wilkinson added: "I would love to see the heart monitor on him at that point - that is my fear.
"I am not naturally a good organiser. I would need to quadruple check because my ticker couldn't command all the stress."
Listen to the whole episode here
Junior Firpo wants to sign a new contract at Leeds but the 28-year-old Dominican Republic defender is open to a return to La Liga if a deal cannot be reached, with Real Betis keen. (Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before his side's Championship match at home to Burnley on Saturday (12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Farke said Liam Cooper is "a club legend" after the former Leeds captain joined Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, adding: "It was a pleasure and a privilege to be allowed to be his manager for the last 12 months."
He said the international break is harder for Leeds than a lot of clubs in the league due to so many players being away and that there will be some late decisions regarding some of the players before Saturday's game.
Farke says Max Wober "came back with some knee problems" and hasn't trained since he returned from international duty.
It is "bad news" for Daniel James, who Farke said has had a "re-injury during his rehab training", adding: "The medical department have told me he's out for about four weeks."
On Patrick Bamford, Farke said: "He is back in team training. When you're back in that then you are available, but there is also a difference to that and being match fit for 90 minutes. We will be careful with him but it is definitely good news."
He described Burnley as "one of the best sides in this league". Farke said: "They have mature players for this level and a very experienced coach. They are one of the contenders for winning the title or at least top six. We will have to be at our best."
On the early kick-off, Farke said: "I would have wished for a little bit later of a kick-off but sometimes it is what it is."
Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe quality that made Liam Cooper stand out as a Leeds United captain for me was that he was a consistently strong leader regardless of being in or out of the first team.
Whether form or injury prevented his inclusion in the starting XI, you knew he was captain because his influence was all-pervading among the squad. Of his 284 appearances during a decade at Elland Road, he made 220 starting with the armband.
Every supporter will have their own memory of Cooper:
Injuring himself scoring a vital header in the 2-2 draw against Cardiff City in Daniel Farke's first game in charge typified his commitment. When the promotion season was threatening to implode, it was Cooper who rescued a point by stabbing home from close range at Brentford. United never looked back after that moment and romped to the Premier League.
But maybe it was the subtle skills that made Cooper such a natural leader of men. I will never forget when Samuel Saiz, guilty of indifference as much as brilliance, was substituted during a match at Elland Road and self-combusted as he went to the dugout. It was Cooper who moved several places along the bench to calm his teammate down.
When he lifted the Championship trophy at Elland Road during the pandemic, I was fortunate to go pitchside after the match against Charlton and with an extended microphone managed to record Cooper, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Kalvin Phillips singing: "Leeds are falling apart again."
He got Leeds.
So it is fitting that he joins Bulgaria's Central Sports Club of the Army aka CSKA Sofia. Cooper the trooper - who understood his men, his regiment and who he was fighting for.
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, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Liam Cooper, who has finally left Leeds after 10 years at Elland Road and have been inundated with replies.
Here are some of your commnents:
Jo: Liam Cooper is what Leeds Utd is all about. Selflessness, fight, loyalty, guts and determination. He's a legend on and off the pitch. It didn't matter if he was playing, injured or on the bench, he was there for every single player, supporting them and cheering them on. Thanks for everything Coops. You're one of the nicest, kindest people I ever met!
Barry: Liam Cooper has carried himself impeccably on and off the pitch for LUFC. Despite some criticism, he was always highly professional and quite rightly is seen by many as one of our greatest captains for team and more importantly the club. Side before self. Good luck Liam. See you soon.
Damo: My abiding memory is him putting on the headphones quietly and simply to walk an autistic mascot onto the pitch in the Premier League. As a father of a neuro-diverse child, it meant so much as an image and such an easy gesture. A leader of men and principles. Deservedly our captain, side before self every time.
Martin: Liam Cooper was an excellent captain for Leeds United. As many fans will agree, he was not the best centre-half but he was someone who was needed and he scored some good, useful goals. He should have a testimonial game at Elland Road as part of next year's pre-season matches. He would also be a very good ex-player for matchday hospitality.
Graham: Charles, Collins, Bremner, Radebe and now Liam Cooper. Legendary captains. Coops was there from when our club was in turmoil through to the Marcelo Bielsa era and beyond. A consistent rock of leadership. He always conducted himself with grace, humility and a gentleman throughout to all. Thanks Coops. A legend/brother to all fans . See you again soon, I'm sure!
Patrick Bamford attempts to find comedian and podcast co-host Joe Wilkinson a staff role at Leeds United following his unsuccessful attempt at becoming a free-kick specialist at the age of 49.
Listen to the latest episode of My Mate's A Footballer on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has joined Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia following the expiration of his contract at Elland Road.
The 33-year-old, who spent 10 seasons with the Whites, says he leaves "proud" after trying to always represent the club with "dignity and modesty."
Leeds fans, what does Cooper mean to you?
Any particular memories that stand out?
Adonis Storr
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThree minutes after coming on as a substitute Mateo Joseph cut a run through the Scottish under-21 defence last Saturday, slotted a clinical winner into the goal and captured the imagination of the Spanish media.
On X, Spanish TV channel Teledeporte tweeted: "This kid has some stuff, external" while newspaper AS are reporting that senior side manager Luis de la Fuente, having a dearth of striker options, is "keeping a close eye" on the 20-year-old, even considering calling him up to the full squad.
"I am convinced that it will be my year," Joseph told Leeds United manager Daniel Farke during pre-season. "I think I have worked very hard for it."
Joseph has had to be patient, but that patience is paying off. He has started the season spectacularly, with a goal and two assists in four games, cementing himself as the Whites' starting number nine, in front of Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe.
Daniel Farke has described Joseph’s movement as "natural" and his finishing "instinctive". Should the young Spaniard be called up to the European champions squad it would mark a dramatic ascent for a player playing his first full season at senior level.
Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external
The latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast has landed.
Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix discuss how Leeds stars have got on during the international break, and their next Championship match against Burnley.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
The latest episode of the My Mate's A Footballer podcast has landed.
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford is joined by comedian Joe Wilkinson to discuss what it's like to be a young footballer.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
In 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 reflect on new signing Manor Solomon and how he performed against Hull City.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Someone who repairs, replaces and reshapes a team is how Daniel Farke's role at Leeds United could be described, rather than someone who keeps and examines the money in and out of Elland Road. A rebuilder rather than a recorder.
"I'm a sportsman, and I concentrate on sports and the quality of the players - I'm not an accountant," Farke said when commenting on the club's summer transfer signings.
The sum total of that brought him three defenders, two wingers, two midfielders and a goalkeeper - but not the coveted number 10. A reported £13m bid for Sheffield United's Gus Hamer was, according to Blades boss Chris Wilder, a low-ball attempt to prise away a player they paid about £15m for a year ago.
"I'm not there in order to make the the key decisions. I'm there to identify the targets that are possible with the money set we are allowed - I'm allowed - to spend and I try to make the best out of this to bring the best potential players together, with our persons in the background who work on transfers."
Some of those transfers Farke referred to as "interesting", and on first showing in the 2-0 victory over Hull City, Manor Solomon's fine display, coupled with the impressive cameo roles from Ao Tanaka and Largie Ramazani, made you wonder how much interest Leeds must have fought off from elsewhere to land their targets.
But in the glow of victory and after the sight of shiny new toys on the pitch, Farke reminded everybody his team should no longer be considered favourites for automatic promotion.
"It's never easy when you don't have a traditional number 10 but as a club we decided to go this way.. You have to spend an unbelievable amount of money, and during the summer the club has decided not to do this - and that's absolutely fine and we work with what we've got."
The rebuild is afoot, without the marquee signing, but the expectation to go up remains unaltered.
Farke knows the score... and it is not a perfect 10.
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
Sol Bamba's mum wanted him to be a doctor – "because you have a good heart and you care about people". But when he was scouted while playing in a park with his mates, football became his life.
Bamba came to Leeds a decade ago – on loan from Palermo. United were a club in disarray, a young side and a divided dressing room.
"There were basically two groups – the Italian players and everybody else," he once said.
Behind the scenes the 'manager eating' owner Massimo Cellino induced fear in everyone – everyone except Sol.
"The club deserves better and I think the person in charge has to do better for our club and the supporters because they deserve better," he said. Standing up to Cellino at that time – on the fans behalf – brought him immediate respect.
Sol also stood up to the six players who refused to play for Leeds away at Charlton to try and get then manager Neil Redfearn sacked. "I remember having a proper go at them because whatever you do, you know, you respect the club," Bamba told BBC Radio Tees.
Bamba's fearlessness brought respect from Cellino and new manager Uwe Rosler who made the Ivory Coast international club captain. As captain he was passionately active with the Leeds United Foundation, visiting children's hospitals and schools, lighting up rooms with his smile.
"When I was in school I would have loved people to come in," Bamba told Glen Williams after he retired. "That's why I take it very seriously, because those kids look up to us and we are role models."
He might not have gone on to be a doctor like his mum suggested, but he never lost that "good heart" and Bamba will be remembered fondly by Leeds fans.
Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external
