The Don't Go To Bed Just Yet team discuss a successful Christmas
Leeds United picked up nine points over Christmas week with wins against Oxford, Stoke and Derby.
That has seen them open up a small gap at the top of the Championship table.
Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix reflect on a very merry Christmas for the whites.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
Don't Go To Bed Just Yet: The team discuss a successful Christmas
Leeds United picked up nine points over Christmas week with wins against Oxford, Stoke and Derby.
That has seen them open up a small gap at the top of the Championship table.
Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix reflect on a very merry Christmas for the whites.
You can listen this edition and past episodes on BBC Sounds here.
Image source, Rex FeaturesLeeds United boss Daniel Farke has told BBC Radio Leeds that Brenden Aaronson's winner at Derby County was a piece of poetry and and is his early pick of goal of the season.
"I think it was a fully deserved win," said Farke. "We were in total control because we expected them to be on it and to try press us. But we didn't allow them to press us because we had good solutions today.
"Perhaps in the first half we didn't have enough clear-cut chances to score, but we didn't allow them anything. In the second half my feeling was that at some point we missed too many clear-cut chances to win such a difficult away game.
"Normally you can't miss so many chances to win points in such a difficult place but then obviously we scored, for me, the goal of the season. It was an unbelievable team goal.
"I'll put it straight away into my poetry album, I loved this goal I have to say. It was a perfect team move and Brenden also came up with a perfect calm finish."
League leaders Leeds United travel to mid-table Derby County on Sunday evening with both sides looking to continue their winning ways to end the year.
Victory over the Rams took Leeds top of the Championship table three weeks ago, and a repeat of that performance this weekend will see them retain top spot.
Both teams come into this encounter following Boxing Day victories, Derby County having held off promotion-chasing West Brom as Leeds moved back into pole position in the title race with a comfortable away win at struggling Stoke.
Derby County are winless in their last six league games against Leeds United (D2 L4) since a 2-1 win in October 2017 under Gary Rowett.
Leeds United are looking to win three away league games in a row against Derby County for the first time since between 1954 and 1960.
Derby County have won their final league match of the year in each of the past seven years and are unbeaten in 13 such matches (W10 D3) since a 5-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest in 2010.
Leeds have won their final league match of the year in just two of the past 14 years (D4 L8), but they did score five goals in both victories – 5-4 vs. Birmingham in 2019 and 5-0 vs. West Brom in 2020.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke was winless in his first five Championship games against Derby County (D2 L3) but he has since won each of his last two against the Rams.
Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Rex FeaturesWhat do Leeds need?
The prevailing view is they need a natural number 10. Much like the tears of the 'Widows of Bielsa', supporters still mourn the hole left by Pablo Hernandez.
Boss Daniel Farke says he is happy with his squad and to expect a quiet January but has not ruled out a significant move if the opportunity presents itself.
Emi Buendia has been linked before but the one-time Aston Villa record signing's arrival at Elland Road even after only playing 48 minutes of Premier League football this season seems unlikely.
What sort of business are they to do?
Another long-term injury may force their hand. Leeds have suffered from several lengthy lay-offs already this campaign, notably to first-choice midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev.
Another number nine would be welcome but the sum of the parts of a side that is spreading goals around the front four has meant that Joel Piroe's nine goals in 14 league starts has compensated for Mateo Joseph's two strikes.
How successful have they been in recent January windows?
Last January saw Burnley's Connor Roberts arrive on loan and he proved an astute signing despite United just missing out on promotion.
The recruitment team with Nick Hammond as consultant has deservedly received a lot of plaudits for a high hit rate in both summers to date.
There have been a few changes recently with Alex Davies replacing Jordan Miles as head of recruitment but, whilst working within the required financial constraints, there is a feeling that the regime is likely to make solid decisions in the market if required, unlike the aberration that cost them tens of millions with the Jean-Kevin Augustin affair in 2020.
Are there likely to be any notable departures?
Patrick Bamford's bench-warming makes you wonder if he will push for a move with 18 months left on his deal. The one-cap England international is on a big contract and coupled with an injury riddled past few seasons it is difficult to see who could afford the 31-year-old.
Joe Gelhardt is the other forward who has dropped off the radar. We have been told he has had a few injury concerns but, after a spell at Sunderland last year, nine minutes of Championship football this term suggests another loan would suit all concerned.
How key is the window?
Farke has already managed expectations by playing down the club's intentions.
Having had a difficult summer in terms of key departures in Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray to the Premier League, it is fair to say that the subsequent arrivals of Joe Rodon (permanent), Largie Ramazani, Ao Tanaka, Joshua Guilavogui and Isaac Schmidt, as well as Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell both on loan, look capable of returning the club to the Premier League without too many additions.
Image source, Getty ImagesLeeds United boss Daniel Farke spoke to BBC Radio Leeds following his side's 2-0 win at Stoke, which took them top of the Championship:
"It was a good win and a good performance. Not one of our shiniest. We should have shown more cutting edge, but we had control.
"The games are coming thick and fast though, so you can't complain about an away win and a clean sheet.
"I am older than my players and have been through such situations so I didn't really feel any added pressure about going top tonight.
"But it's the first time my players have come under this sort of pressure. We don't have many title winners in our team, so they dealt with it well."
A win on Boxing Day could see Leeds United top the Championship table if results go their way elsewhere.
Leeds are three points behind leaders Sheffield United but with a much healthier goal difference and they take on a Stoke City side with no wins in their last five games.
The Potters are 19th in the table and four points above the relegation zone.
Stoke have won three of their last four home league games against Leeds, losing the other 3-0 in August 2019.
Leeds have won three of their last four league games against Stoke, winning each game without conceding a goal (3-0 and 5-0 in 2019-20, 1-0 in March 2024).
Stoke City have lost one of their last eight league games on Boxing Day (W4 D3), losing 2-0 away at Birmingham City in 2018.
Leeds United have won three of their last 10 Boxing Day matches (D3 L4), winning those in three consecutive years between 2016 and 2018.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke has lost his last three Boxing Day league matches, losing twice with Norwich (in 2019 vs. Aston Villa and 2020 vs. Watford) and last year with Leeds away at Preston.
Image source, BBC SportIt was another comfortable victory for Leeds United as their 4-0 victory over Oxford made it nine home wins on the spin.
Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix ask how Daniel Farke can fit everyone into his side, and look ahead to two away games in the Christmas week.
Episode 133 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.
Adonis Storr
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesLeeds United's Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, who have both since left the club, were both on the scoresheet in the 4-0 rout of Norwich in May.
It was a disastrous run of results that set up Leeds' greatest night of 2024.
Just one win in the last six games of last season saw the Whites fall out of automatic promotion contention and into the dreaded play-offs. They faced Norwich City in the semi-finals.
A solid display in the first leg away at Carrow Road meant the game ended goalless.
On paper, the Peacocks had the better squad and were well-placed to beat the Canaries and book a place at Wembley.
But this is Leeds. We don't do it easy and we have never been promoted via the play-offs.
As the night drew near, the ghosts of the last play-off semi-final at Elland Road hung around as nerves, like the free scarves left over the seats.
Five years ago, at this same stage, Marcelo Bielsa's first season in charge ended abruptly to Frank Lampard's Derby County.
Leeds had been cruising but in 13 mad minutes either side of half-time, they conceded three goals and never recovered.
Seven months ago, on a balmy night in May, there was a determination to banish those ghosts. I have seldom seen Elland Road as it was, everyone who was able to, stood for the entire game.
Early goals from Illia Gruev and Joel Piroe had those free scarves twirling in the Beeston air. This was Leeds at their boisterous best.
And when Josh Sargent broke free of United's high line, Illan Meslier rushed out to meet him. Meslier's powerful hand parried away a dinked effort – surely one of the best saves of his career. It just seemed to be our night.
By the time Crysencio Summerville made it four, the party began in earnest. Leeds were going to Wembley, were 90 minutes from the Premier League and had one more shot at rewriting history.
Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock., external
Image source, Rex FeaturesLeeds manager Daniel Farke celebrates victory over Oxford
Leeds boss Daniel Farke speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after 4-0 win over Oxford kept them in touch at the top of the Championship:
"It was a perfect way to start the festive days. Obviously an important win, impressive scoreline and impressive performance. Our aim was to win this game but especially during such a busy period and on a difficult day I'm quite delighted with it.
"We could have scored a few more goals in the first half and in the second half we had chances to score perhaps a couple more. But overall, the most important thing for us was to return to the dressing room with the clean sheet and three important points. It was good for the goal difference.
"The performance was excellent and to create the chances against such a deep sitting block and to score the goals was quite impressive. Again four different goalscorers and all the offensive players chipped in with assists and goals, so it's good for the confidence.
"Brenden Aaronson could sometimes be a bit more tidy but he is still a young lad and his numbers are quite good. He scores goals and he assists. Sometimes he has the tendency to put the ball over the crossbar but it was a really well-taken goal. That ice cool finish will be good for his confidence."
Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds
Leeds United would be interested in Liverpool and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher if they are promoted to the Premier League, but the 26-year-old could look elsewhere. (Team Talk), external
Leeds forward Patrick Bamford, 31, is attracting interest from Serie A club Genoa and League One side Wrexham, but the Englishman is unlikely to leave in January with manager Daniel Farke wanting attacking depth for a promotion push. (Team Talk), external
Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesHere's some more from Daniel Farke's press conference ahead of the weekend's game against Oxford United.
How aware is Farke of interest in any of his players ahead of the transfer window?
"Even when there is interest, we have calmed everything down," Farke said.
"We are in such a crucial period, and we want all our players to focus on us right now.
"We want the whole squad to be focused on these next five games.
"After 4 January, there will be an FA Cup weekend and then we can speak about everything else if we do something in January.
"Until then, there won't be any decisions and we just want to focus on winning as many games as possible."
Farke says he is not under pressure to sell players to help the club's PSR situation in January:
"I don't think we need to earn any more money," he said.
"We earned more money than any club in Western Europe.
"It's important for us to be sustainable after some difficult years in terms of spending.
"You have to stick to the rules and there is a moment when you have to sell some players after perhaps over-spending. It was beneficial for the long-term picture.
We had to rebuild but overall, I think it was beneficial.
"We are a healthy club right now and so no pressure to do anything. We can't spend a fortune but there is no need to do anything in terms of earning more money."
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
Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Rex FeaturesPascal Struijk has made 22 appearances this season
Leeds United host Oxford United on Saturday looking for a ninth consecutive home win in the Championship.
Here are some snippets from Daniel Farke's pre-game press conference.
Team news:
Farke says defender Pascal Struijk is rated as 50-50 for the match after suffering a hamstring injury. The centre-back has not trained for two days.
Fellow defender Max Wober has a small chance of being fit after suffering swelling to his knee.
Junior Firpo (hamstring) and Illia Gruev (knee) remain sidelined.
Farke added he hoped Gruev would return to training at some point in January.
On their away form in which they have tended to concede the first goal:
"I think there is not one reason, otherwise it would be easy to change," Farke said.
"We are also a young side, we spoke about the aggressiveness and excitement that has to be on the top level in away games.
"We are not good enough to go into a game at 98%.
"In a tricky away game decisions are sometimes not easy to accept when there should be a red card or something - in our last away game it was a bit the case.
"The sharpness of how we start could have been more on it."
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
Leeds will seek to keep the pressure on Championship leaders Sheffield United when they return to Elland Road to face Oxford United.
The U's remain winless on the road this season and parted ways with Des Buckingham earlier this week while Daniel Farke's men go in search of a ninth straight home win.
This is the first time that Leeds United and Oxford United are meeting in the Football League since March 1990, a match during which the Whites ran out 4-2 winners.
Oxford have failed to win any of their three prior away league games against Leeds (D1 L2), with their last trip to Elland Road ending in a 2-1 defeat in September 1989.
Leeds have won each of their past eight home league games in succession by a combined score line of 20-2, while so far this season, no team has won more home matches than the Whites (9) across England's top four tiers.
Oxford have failed to win any of their nine away league games in the Championship this season (D2 L7), with their last away victory at this level coming back in March 1999 during a 2-1 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
This season in the Championship, Leeds have scored the most goals (37), have the highest xG (36.5) and have had the most shots (344), while Oxford are bottom for shots attempted with 191.
