Leeds United

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Leeds vice-captain Pascal Struijk says the Championship leaders displayed "great character" in the win over Middlesbrough that took them back top of the table.

After Willy Gnonto's opener for the hosts, the visitors equalised in the second half when Leeds defender Max Wober headed a Boro corner into his own net.

But the Whites responded to win 3-1 through goals from Dan James and Brenden Aaronson - and Struijk was particularly pleased with the resilience his side demonstrated throughout a tricky second half.

"It was an unlucky own goal but the reaction shows great character," Struijk told BBC Radio Leeds. "It's [then] about being solid, not conceding and we did great.

"Then we catch them on the counter attack - like they did sometimes in the first half to us - and we scored good goals from that."

It was the league leaders' eighth straight win at home and Struijk believes those in the stands at Elland Road play a huge part in their success.

"They were helping us when we lost the ball to make sure we have a reaction and then try to get involved when we aren't paying attention," Struijk added.

"The support that we have here is amazing and it's also a big reason why we are doing so well at home."

You can listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick is the latest Championship head coach to put a tape measure across the perceived gulf between his side and Leeds United.

The unit of measurement: the difference in the respective levels of top flight experience between Leeds and his players, who were eventually overwhelmed 3-1 by Daniel Farke's men at Elland Road on Tuesday.

"We've played against players who've played a lot of Premier League football," said Carrick after the match during which Boro had a 20-minute spell in which they bridged the gap before Leeds reasserted their superiority.

Statistically speaking Carrick is not wrong. The United players who either started or came on have amassed more than 500 appearances between them at the highest level, with Illan Meslier and Dan James accounting for more than 200 of them.

Boro's total Premier League experience of those who took part at Elland Road was limited to a handful of matches for Ben Doak and George Edmundson, who are on loan from Liverpool and Ipswich Town respectively.

But does that mean Leeds United are a side and a club completely out of place in the Championship?

Farke does not think so and said earlier this week: "We are miles off being labelled a Premier League side, there is no doubt about this.

"Two years ago we were hopeless on Premier League level. Then in the summer we lost our best players. Everyone was fearing the worst.

"It was more or less the same this past summer. I wouldn't say we're miles ahead of Burnley or Sheffield United, who were in the Premier League last season."

Boro arrived as one of the form outfits in this division. Over the past 10 games they have scored 24 times, which is five more than United, who are second in that particular chart.

So maybe it was no surprise they had the temerity to have a go at Leeds in their own backyard, where they dished out a rare bloody nose by equalising after half-time.

Farke praised Carrick for the way Boro attacked the contest rather than taking a 'though shall not pass' approach.

And a contest it had become after the break because United had failed to improve whatever your choice of algorithm is to reflect big chances, be it xGs or onion bags being filled.

Leeds were ahead but not by enough, thanks to Willy Gnonto blocking into the net Boro keeper Seny Dieng's attempt to clear away from his line.

Boro fashioned a leveller, which their period of dominance deserved, even if it left Max Wober scratching the same head which powered home Dan Barlaser's corner from the near post into his own net.

James is now 100 games, largely to the good, in for Leeds and celebrated with a fine hit after a miss, while Brenden Aaronson secured the points after a tireless night of running. It was a deserved victory and the scoreline reflected it.

The way Farke wrestled back the flow of the game was a credit to his tactics, substitutions and not least his players for their resilience and rapid response to adversity.

Midfielder Joe Rothwell put in another stand-out performance and in doing so showed it does not matter how many Premier League games you have played once you drop out of it - if you are not prepared to put the hard yards in to recover the ball, as well as show courage on it, the Championship's grizzled grinders will show little respect for the upper echelon's Fancy Dans.

All of the names on the scoresheet against Middlesbrough have indeed played at the highest level in England, where their experience has arguably been largely negative with relegation the lasting bitter taste.

Tuesday night indicated they have what it takes to give themselves and Leeds a second chance to climb back up there. Only then can they prove if they can cope.

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

Leeds United and Middlesbrough clash at Elland Road on Tuesday night in a game that sees two sides vying for promotion lock horns.

The Whites have won seven games in a row on home soil and have lost just twice in their previous 14 overall (W9 D3) - both of which were 1-0 defeats at Millwall and Blackburn respectively.

Boro have scored 19 goals in their past six games, winning four, losing one and drawing one at Burnley last time out.

• Leeds United have won each of their past four league games against Middlesbrough, scoring 3+ goals in three of those matches. It's their longest ever such winning run over Boro.

• Middlesbrough have failed to win any of their past eight away league games against Leeds (D2 L6), failing to score more than one goal in seven of those matches at Elland Road.

• This will be Leeds' 50th home league game against Middlesbrough, with the Yorkshire outfit scoring 1.96 goals on average across their prior meetings with Boro on home soil.

• Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath scored a brace in both league meetings with Leeds last season, although ended up on the losing side both times (3-2 away, 4-3 home).

• Leeds' Daniel Farke has won seven of his eight league games against Middlesbrough (D1), his most wins against a single opponent as a Championship manager.

On this week's Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, the team discuss what Leeds boss Daniel Farke might do in midfield when club captain Ethan Ampadu returns to full fitness.

The Wales international has been out since September because of a knee injury and, in his absence, on-loan Joe Rothwell and Japan international Ao Tanaka have impressed.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It is seven home wins in a row now for Leeds United at 'Boretress Elland Road'. The Peacocks have conceded just one goal in that run and now sit top for goal difference among the 92 professional clubs in the English game.

At home, Daniel Farke has created an efficient winning machine capable of breaching even the most stubborn of defences.

One of Leeds' vulnerabilities since Pablo Hernandez left the club has been an ability to break down teams who defend deep.

Many players have been tried in the number 10 role since then and despite Pablo coming on a free and his replacements costing millions, no one has neared the levels the Spaniard reached.

But Farke knows that playing against the low block is key to success when you're one of the favourites for the Championship.

"More than 50% of teams change to five at the back against us, sometimes six," the Leeds boss said after the 2-0 win against Derby. "It's always difficult to open them up."

In the same interview, Farke admitted that in his last few seasons in the Championship, the majority of his training sessions are focused on breaking down low-blocks.

Leeds' success this season of scoring against sides that park the bus has kept some criticism away from current number 10 Brenden Aaronson.

The American is a frustrating watch at times. It is now six games without a goal or assist and he has struggled to find any chemistry with team-mates.

He can slow a counter attack by holding onto the ball too long, falls far too easily and simple passes can go awfully wayward.

Should Leeds' goals dry up, focus would turn once more to the number 10. To keep the critics away, Leeds must continue to break through the parked buses.

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

Leeds United enjoyed a comfortable afternoon at Elland Road on Saturday with a routine 2-0 victory over Derby County.

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix reflect on that win, ask what should happen with the midfield moving forwards and preview Tuesday's clash with Middlesbrough.

Episode 131 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.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A seven-match home winning league run is the momentum that has built behind Leeds United as they head to Middlesbrough on Tuesday (20:00 GMT).

Here are the main lines from Daniel Farke's pre-match news conference:

• On the injury front, Junior Firpo (hamstring) is out for four to six weeks. Sam Byram (also hamstring) could return against Boro but Jayden Bogle (muscle injury) will be a late call. Midfielder Ilia Gruev (knee) is back running but a few weeks away from returning to full training.

• Farke said Firpo's absence was "heartbreaking news" but Leeds will not panic-buy another full back in January given he will be back at some point during that month.

• On Joel Piroe and whether he has coached him differently this season now he has seven goals in 11 league starts: "He's always a striker who naturally likes to drop deeper to get the ball. He's special in his approach and we can't change that."

• Farke said his side take Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder's claims that "Leeds are miles ahead of us" as "a compliment" but the German feels the Whites are "miles away from being a Premier League side".

• He added Leeds will not be motivated by revenge after a 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Boro in August, saying "that game has no influence on this one" and that the Whites had been affected by Georginio Rutter's impending departure, adding "it was difficult to focus".

• On Boro now: "For me, they are one of the best teams. They have many, many options. They are one of the best sides in this league that you can face."

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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Leeds United midfielder Joe Rothwell says he is "growing" into his role in the side's midfield after a fine display in the 2-0 win over Derby County.

Rothwell's corner set up the first goal for Joe Rodon in a comfortable win over the Rams as Leeds bounced back from a disappointing loss at Blackburn Rovers.

The result allowed them to move back into the automatic promotion spots after Burnley had only drawn with Middlesbrough on Friday.

"I was really disappointed with last weekend and I put a bit of pressure on myself to bounce back and I felt like I did," Rothwell told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I feel like I'm growing into my role every day."

Rothwell is on a season-long loan at Elland Road from Bournemouth and has started each of the past 11 Championship games following long-term injuries to captain Ethan Ampadu and fellow first-choice midfielder Ilia Gruev.

Image source, PressBox Graphics

Leeds haven't lost back-to-back games yet this season and they'll be determined to continue that record after last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Blackburn shunted them out of the top two.

Victory would lift Daniel Farke's side back above current leaders Sheffield United, who are not in action until Sunday, when they travel to West Brom.

Derby, who are 15th in the table but have a five-point cushion above the bottom three, have only won one of their last nine games - although that came on the road, when the Rams triumphed 2-1 at Coventry earlier this month.

● Leeds United are unbeaten across their last five league games against Derby County (W3 D2), with the Yorkshire outfit netting 12 goals in total across that time.

● Derby County have won just one of their last seven away league games against Leeds United (D3 L3), failing to keep a single clean sheet at Elland Road during that time.

● Leeds have won each of their last six league games at Elland Road, conceding just one goal in the process. They're looking to record four consecutive home clean sheets for the first time since June 2020.

● Derby have both scored and conceded in each of their last nine league games, last having a longer such run between August and November 2005 (15).

● Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has only won one of his six games against Derby in the EFL (D2 L3), although that lone victory did come in his most recent meeting with them (1-0 in April 2021).

Image source, BBC Sport

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before the Championship game against Derby County at Elland Road on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Here are some of the key points from Thursday's news conference, and Farke's thoughts:

• Sam Byram (hamstring) is out, while Isaac Schmidt (hernia) is back in training but not ready to play a full 90 minutes.

• Junior Firpo is a question mark so faces a late call after a knock in training.

• Club captain Ethan Ampadu is back in full training and Farke is already mulling over using the midfielder earlier than anticipated by mid-December.

Patrick Bamford came on ahead of Mateo Joseph at Blackburn Rovers. Does that reflect his fitness and general improvement in training?

Farke: "It's the first time in a while he's three to four weeks without injury. In training his confidence is coming back. It also depends on the game. It wasn't a decision against Mateo, for example. Patrick with experience and smart movements in the box is a good solution when you need a goal. I'm quite grateful he's in a good period where he's training more and more. When you convince in training you have more chances to get more minutes - and you have to use minutes."

Paul Warne gave his Derby team Monday off for a psychological recovery after their late defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. Do you do similar?

Farke: "Sometimes it depends on the gut feeling. Paul is pretty experienced. Sometimes you feel don't talk too much, clear the head, instead of overloading them too much. But you can't do this every week. I'm quite sure it's the best solution for them if Paul thinks so. They are highly motivated to bounce back. They were unlucky and were on the front foot and quite easily could have won the game."

Warne says he can't believe Farke is perceived to be under pressure. He says no-one could do a better job.

Farke: "We've got a good relationship and obviously there is objective data that backs his words. Paul is experienced enough - it's Leeds United and it's always like such an emotional club. I don't feel at all criticised or under pressure. We know what we're doing. I knew when I signed the contract what an emotional club Leeds is - this club always polarises. Even during Marcelo [Bielsa's] time there was criticism of his football or his approach. If you can't handle the heat don't go into the kitchen."

You said it would be a quiet January transfer window. Does that mean in terms of numbers, and does it rule out spending considerable money on a key player like a number 10?

Farke: "In general, I'm long enough in this business that some strange things can happen. You can never rule it out. You have to react to the reality. It's a while till the window opens and till then I won't comment too much on speculation. We have eight games before 1 January. Potentially some injuries to key players and how is the situation. If you ask me right now I don't expect a busy January."

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

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

We've been here before with Leeds United managers haven't we?

Five years ago Marcelo Bielsa and his side were given the Fifa Fair Play award for their sportsmanship against Aston Villa when Bielsa ordered the team to let Villa equalise in a crucial match.

Leeds' opener had sparked a free-for-all on the pitch at Elland Road after Mateusz Klich scored while Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia was down with an injury.

Consequently, Bielsa instructed his players to stand aside and allow Albert Adomah to run through unopposed to equalise (although United defender Pontus Jansson defied orders and tried unsuccessfully to impede him).

The consequent 1-1 draw meant Leeds dropped two points and effectively gifted automatic promotion to Sheffield United.

Fifa were fulsome in their praise for Bielsa with their statement: “Some residents of planet football consider winning the ultimate. The only purpose of playing the sport. For others though, there are values which need to be held even higher than those which bring victory.”

Bielsa himself was characteristically understated at the time, saying: “What happened, happened. English football is known around the world for its noble features. I’ve said all I want to say.”

And remember, this came after the 'Spygate' furore in which Bielsa admitted to sending someone to spy on Derby County after a man was apprehended by police outside the Rams’ training ground. Bielsa admitted to spying on every Championship opponent that season, saying: “I observed all the rivals we played against and watched the training sessions of all opponents.”

He had not broken any rules but never the less, the club were fined £200,000 and given a severe reprimand by the EFL. Leeds went on to lose the play-off semi-final to this Saturday's opponents Derby at the end of the season.

Those old English values and noble features, hey? They seem so attractive to those watching from afar until they experience the reality where all is not necessarily as it seems.

Current manager Daniel Farke, in the wake of the 1-0 defeat at Ewood Park, without naming the Blackburn Rovers captain, pointed the finger at Lewis Travis for blatantly disrupting the flow of the match by going to ground. "A player on the pitch, I don't want to name him, but he was six times on the pitch, experienced player, and there was never one time a treatment, but it always lasts one minute,” he said. “The referee goes over, speaks to him, he gets up. It's not just we can add the time, it also breaks the rhythm and gives the other team time to recover."

Farke feels the spirit of the game has diminished somewhat. "Sometimes I got the feeling I love this country because we were never soft... and when someone was cheating and wasting time, even their home fans were booing him off. I like this mentality, even with my German passport. I always loved English football. Sometimes we remember on the way we are celebrating a player when he's wasting time. I don't like this attitude but perhaps I’m a bit old school in these terms.

Fair play? It will not have seemed to many. But for others - fair play to the lad for pushing the parameters to the maximum to secure the win.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily weeknights at 18:00 GMT and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

At Norwich, Daniel Farke was loved. The full-time whistle at Carrow Road was often met with Blur's 90s hit Parklife blasted from the tannoy. The Canary faithful replaced the song's hook line with the German's name.

At Leeds, Farke has the best win percentage (55.4%) of any coach to manage more than 10 games in the club's history, but his name is seldom sung and he isn't really loved.

From sections of the fanbase his tactics aren't yet being met with vitriol, but something worse: apathy.

By the time Farke had circled the Elland Road pitch last Wednesday night the stands were sparse. The Whites had just comprehensively dismantled freshly-relegated Luton Town, they were top of the league, having raced to 10 league wins, and well in the fight for the Championship title.

But Leeds fans' relationship with Farke feels like a loveless marriage.

The German's solid formation has seen United concede fewer goals than at this stage last year. Leeds have the lowest expected goals allowed in the league, and suffocate games by controlling possession and playing two defensive midfielders.

But this defensive solidity isn't really inspirational. And the frustration when the Peacocks don't play exciting, attacking football is compounded by the strength of the squad.

Leeds have one of the most expensively-assembled squads in English Football League history. The fanbase expect the club to win, and the frustration of decades spent outside the Premier League wasn't quenched from the recent brief spell back in the big time.

Perhaps it is the shadow of Marcelo Bielsa still hanging over Elland Road. We have seen how football can become art. And while Farke's tactics might be what we need, it's not what we want.

Farke will never be loved like Bielsa, but if he does get Leeds promoted, at least his name will be sung again.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds United failed to make it a nine-point week in the Championship, slipping to a 1-0 loss at Blackburn.

The defeat resulted in a lot of emails from Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet listeners’…so Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix opened their inbox to discuss some of the points made.

Was it a penalty? What is it with 1-0 defeats? Why is John Eustace Leeds' kryptonite? Will the real Leeds United please stand up...

Episode 130 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.

Image source, Getty Images

It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

In a week when Leeds United have won in both dramatic and comfortable circumstances, is it fair that Daniel Farke’s football has been branded as boring?

Averaging 1.97 points per game – the best by any Championship manager in 20 years, his style is effective but supposedly not the most entertaining to watch.

We’ve faced the fewest shots of any club in the opening 17 games of a Championship season (113) since Opta started recording data in 2013.

While this lack of jeopardy is impressive, it doesn’t have people on the edge of their seats – thus complaints of boredom and a decline in atmosphere.

The noises I made for Willy Gnonto’s 91st-minute winner at Swansea were described as “a yelping dog being trampled on”.

Coming less than a minute after conceding the equaliser, it was well worth driving through two feet of flood water in South Wales for.

Much like the sea of travelling supporters around me, I was in complete disbelief and didn’t quite know what to do with myself.

Winning 4-3 in that fashion felt very much like the chaos under Marcelo Bielsa, which fans understandably crave more than a routine 3-0 win over Luton Town.

I personally agree that Farke’s football is boring to watch, but I also acknowledge that he has a job to do and we’re currently top of the Championship.

It’s not his fault that Bielsa has somewhat brainwashed us into thinking seven-goal thrillers are the norm.

Calls for him to be sacked are ridiculous, but bizarrely I do understand why people are fed up.

Is it fair then that Daniel Farke is judged not on the results, but on how he got them?

Find more from Lewis Deighton at LUFC Lewis, external

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Leeds United full-back Sam Byram is a doubt for Saturday's match at Blackburn Rovers.

The 31-year-old scored his first goal of the season in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Luton Town but was later forced off with a hamstring strain.

"We are still waiting for the results on a scan," Leeds boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It will be a tight call with him and a late decision tomorrow if he can travel with us- if he’s still available or not. We have to wait a little bit and be patient."

If Byram is ruled out, his place will likely be filled by Junior Firpo who returns to the squad after missing the last three matches due to suspension.

Saturday's game likely comes too soon for winger Largie Ramazani to be in contention for the starting line-up, although the Belgian may play a part from the bench.

"He needs a bit of time- for the starting line-up I think it’s too early," Farke added.

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has praised his wingers after rotating his side in recent weeks.

Leeds' 3-0 home drubbing of Luton on Wednesday night was their fourth victory in the last five league games and took the German's side top of the Championship.

Farke now has a tough decision to make: whether to keep Wilfried Gnonto and Manor Solomon in the team or replace one of them for Daniel James, who has found form in recent weeks.

"They are just 100 percent happy when I play them each and every second," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds ahead of Saturday's trip to Blackburn Rovers.

"It’s also normal that when you have such a period - three games within six days - and also keeping in mind you have 46 matches a year, two cup competitions, international games - you can’t play each and every minute.

"So, I have to praise my lads because they all accept that."

Farke's wingers have all provided key contributions in recent weeks, with James providing three assists and a goal in his last two matches, while Gnonto and Solomon both scored in the stoppage-time 4-3 win at Swansea City on Sunday.

The Leeds boss added that his rotation policy had been tactical too.

"We want to be flexible and not be that predictable for our opponents," he said.

"The players know exactly what to they have to do if we change it and so we don’t want to play 46 games with more or less the same structure with the same players in the same position because, first, it becomes predictable, and also a bit boring.”