Leeds United

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  1. 'It couldn't have been any better'published at 16:58 17 May 2024

    Put simply, everything worked well for Leeds United against Norwich City.

    Wembley awaits but the team on Don't Go To Bed Just Yet want to bathe in the semi-final win first.

    Watch a clip below or get the show in full here.

    Media caption,

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  2. Who would Leeds rather face in the play-off final?published at 16:31 17 May 2024

    Don't go to bed just yet podcast image

    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."

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

  3. 'The pressure was on us' - Farkepublished at 07:32 17 May 2024

    Daniel FarkeImage 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."

  4. 'Heart says yes... brain says no chance'published at 08:48 15 May 2024

    Your views

    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.

  5. Why early goal is 'key' to Wembley hopespublished at 16:02 14 May 2024

    Leeds in action against Norwich in the Championship play-offsImage 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."

    Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

  6. 'Football authorities must crack down on tragedy chanting'published at 13:07 14 May 2024

    Adonis Storr
    Fan writer

    Leeds fan voice

    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.

    Adonis Storr, The Roaring Peacock, external

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  7. 'Major decisions didn't go Leeds' way'published at 11:06 14 May 2024

    Leeds United's 0-0 draw at Norwich City in an edgy Championship play-off semi-final didn't deliver buckets of drama but - as is so often the case - some officiating was under the spotlight.

    The team on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast have had their say.

    Have a listen to the clip below or take in the full show here.

    Media caption,

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  8. 'I've never seen Farke so animated'published at 17:15 13 May 2024

    Norwich and Leeds players challenge for the ballImage source, PA Media

    The latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast reflects on Leeds United's 0-0 draw at Norwich in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Sunday.

    Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix said: "Going into it, because of previous games, I thought 0-0 would be a great result and I predicted 1-1 for some reason.

    "As it got closer to the end of the game, I was happy with 0-0, but we could have easily won it. Norwich started off quite strong and I thought we grew into it.

    "I wonder whether [Daniel] Farke was going for a 0-0 because we didn't play with a proper number nine really. I thought maybe we were setting out to be more solid than we've been. Getting a clean sheet was great for the future, but the game itself sort of petered out."

    Commentator Adam Pope added: "I felt some major decisions didn't go Leeds' way and I've never seen Farke so animated [after the match]. For him to come out and say he's had 12 letters of apology during the season [for incorrect decisions from officials] - that's a lot of big mistakes."

    Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

  9. Police charge one and bail another after Carrow Road incidentpublished at 16:53 13 May 2024

    A general shot of Carrow RoadImage source, Getty Images

    A man has been charged and a second bailed following an incident involving a Leeds United supporter outside Carrow Road after the play-off semi-final first leg against Norwich City on Sunday.

    The incident happened shortly after 14:00 BST when the victim reported being punched outside the stadium.

    "An object is also believed to have been thrown at the victim, who suffered a cut to his chin," a Norfolk police spokesperson said on Sunday.

    "The victim was seen by paramedics at the scene and did not require further medical treatment."

    In a statement, external, Leeds United said the club "thanks the emergency services for their quick response to the supporter and swift action taken following the incident".

  10. How do you rate Leeds' play-off chances?published at 13:27 13 May 2024

    Have your say banner

    So, a final before the final will decide Leeds' play-off fate after a goalless semi-final first leg against Norwich on Sunday set up a winner takes all clash at Elland Road on Thursday evening.

    Can Daniel Farke's side make it to Wembley? How relevant is their poor end to the league season? How important will the Elland Road crowd be?

    Let us know here, external

  11. Farke on Ferrell, Norwich and play-off pressurepublished at 14:19 10 May 2024

    Adam Pope
    BBC Radio Leeds reporter

    Daniel FarkeImage source, PA Media

    Daniel Farke will become the first Leeds United manager in six attempts to win a play-off if he secures an immediate return to the Premier League.

    United's sorry history when trying to climb out of both the second and third tiers of English football may well weigh heavy on supporters but Farke is yet to experience the end of season mini campaign having successfully negotiated semi-final opponents Norwich City to automatic promotion on two occasions.

    Before Sunday's semi-final first leg against the Canaries, Farke has been speaking to the media. Here are the key lines:

    • Striker Patrick Bamford will miss both legs of the Championship play-off semi final with a knee injury. Damage to his patella was previously undiagnosed. Farke said: “He's seen a different knee consultant and the new diagnosis says there is mini trauma in his patellar tendon. We were not aware of this."

    • Winger Dan James may be fit after missing the final two games of the regular season through injury.

    • The narrative for many will be Farke against his old club but is the real story about about his man management skills this week? He said: "Young side. I trust my players. It's not about me. It's not about playing chess with the opponent's manager. In such a crunch game it's the players who decide things. Managers are there to support them and back them and prepare them in the best possible way. This game will not be won or lost by great decisions on the touchline. It's totally up to the players."

    • Farke continued: "We are not experienced, but I would not change one player. The winning mentality we have. When there is a special occasion - two times against Leicester and Ipswich - we won four times. More consistency on other days in the office and we would have done better. In spotlight games, this team is spot on."

    • Asked how he installs confidence, Farke said: "No psychological games. Hard work on the training field. Win the confidence back with hard work. Success on the training pitch. Good positions on the training pitch. Reminding them step by step they do not need to do something different or special."

    • Having beaten Norwich twice this season, Farke reflected: "The season does not matter now. It's a new competition. Two wins against Norwich do not matter. We had 46 games to earn the place in the play-offs. That's good, but it's a new competition and have to concentrate on now rather than the past."

    • Asked about investment in the club from actor Will Ferrell, Farke said: "We need each and every man. It's always good. A great actor. We are all happy he's on board, but I don't think it will help us score at Norwich. It says a lot about the calibre of this club which has many well-known supporters who we are thankful for. But its up to the players to win these games."

  12. 'We've connected the players with the values and history'published at 10:02 10 May 2024

    Adam Pope
    BBC Radio Leeds reporter

    Expert view

    It has been a memorable week for former Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson who received his OBE from The Prince of Wales at Windsor for his work in football and charity.

    His son Ben will be looking to add another honour to the family name when his Manchester City Under-18s host Leeds United Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup final at the Etihad tonight (KO:19:00 BST). It will be up to United coach Rob Etherington to spoil the party.

    Etherington, who has engineered an excellent run to the final beating Norwich City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Sheffield United all away from home before defeating Liverpool and then Millwall in the semi-final at Elland Road, is aware of the Wilkinson factor but is not allowing it to be a distraction.

    "I know Ben from previous games at under-18 level. I'm sure he will be fully focused on a Manchester City performance and we'll continue focusing on us," he said.

    United have won the competition twice in the club's history in 1993 and 1997 both under Academy coach Paul Hart. In the first instance, when Manchester United were beaten over two legs, Howard Wilkinson was in charge of the first team who were the reigning champions of England.

    The significance of winning tonight is not lost on Etherington. "The FA Youth Cup is one of the biggest competitions in youth football," he says.

    "We've seen it as an opportunity to make it something bigger than football, so we've connected the players with the values and the history of the football club. But also with the history of the competition and the connection of the club with the competition and part of that is the previous successes we've had."

    Etherington has used the experience of former Academy coach Andrew Wright who helped United beat Crystal Palace to win the trophy in 1997.

    He added: "We've been in touch with players who've won it before to help inspire the current group that we've got. We've tied that in full circle with framing the message to the players that they then have the opportunity to inspire the next group who will follow."

    With a big Championship play-off semi final for Daniel Farke's side at Norwich City on Sunday to come what better way to lift the spirits of the club by lifting a trophy beforehand?