Leeds United

The team on Don't Go To Bed Just Yet are encouraged by a clinical streak Leeds United are showing in front of goal.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before his side take on Norwich City on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from the Leeds United manager:

• Ethan Ampadu has a lateral knee ligament injury which will keep him out for around 10 weeks but surgery is not expected.

• Max Wober does require meniscus surgery, which will take place on Tuesday, and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.

• Farke said: "You have to expect there will be injuries, have to hope for a little bit of luck. Ethan is our captain, one of our most important players. He is a key piece for balance between defensive stability and offense. It’s a big blow he’s not available but you have to adapt to it."

• Leeds will also be without Dan James, Manor Solomon and Isaac Schmidt at Norwich.

• Does Farke expect Pascal Struijk to step up in Ampadu's absence even more and show his leadership skills? He answered: "Big step forward in his leadership skills and personality last season. During the whole season so far a key player and leader, fantastic performances. He could chip in with goals from penalties and set-pieces. It’s even more important that he delivers right now. I don’t expect him to do anything different than he’s done in recent weeks."

• Asked how new signings Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka have been able to assimilate so quickly, Farke said: "We try to support with our tools, lots of communication, showing them videos and individual scenes, to improve them even more, passing choices, to bring our principles of football onto the pitch - but it’s always up to the players. We should be careful to praise them too much. In all areas, there is lots of space for improvement."

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

Accents, footballing idols and Italian stars.

Wilfired Gnonto covered all areas in a light-hearted chat with BBC Radio Leeds.

Listen to the latest episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United have another 15:00 BST on Saturday kick-off when they face Coventry City at Elland Road.

The Sky Blues have had a mixed start, with only one league victory so far, while United boss Daniel Farke is looking to back up last week's victory at Cardiff City with a win over a side who took four points off Leeds last season.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Leeds United will be without injured wingers Manor Solomon (back) and Dan James as well as defender Max Wober (knee). A decision will be taken in the next few days whether Wober will require knee surgery.

• Meanwhile, centre-back Pascal Struijk (adductor) needs to train tomorrow to prove he has recovered otherwise he will miss the game. Striker Patrick Bamford and left-back Junior Firpo are expected to recover from knocks.

• On how to use Mateo Joseph in a way that does not dent his confidence: "Sometimes, due to tactics, you need a more physical striker, or more pace, or technique - it depends on the opponent. There is pressure to deliver in every position."

• Farke is pleased with how Joseph is playing: "I am happy with his performances. His workload is great and he had an assist for Largie [Ramazani]. It is good for the confidence and mood if you score a few goals, but he was impressive in pre-season. He scored against Hull and he has three assists. It's not like for me my striker needs to win the Golden Boot."

• On whether opposite number Mark Robins is an example of why a club should stick with a manager: "Not always. If you have the right manager, maybe. I am convinced of the quality of Mark. I've always rated him as a top manager in this division. Experienced and always delivers every season."

• Farke also is not deceived by their mixed opening to the season: "They finish either top six or near the top six and then he loses his best players every year. They can start slowly, but the quality shines through eventually. I expect them to be much higher than here they are. They will be one of the top competitors for the top six."

Full commentary of Leeds United v Coventry City on BBC Radio Leeds from 15:00 BST

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

Image source, Getty Images

"I was just a bit excited. His celebration is really nice but mine is not as good."

Willy Gnonto explains how his attempt to mirror team-mate Largie Ramazani's spectacular back-flipping goal celebration at Cardiff on Saturday fell short.

The ever-smiling Gnonto is part of a young team that, according to Daniel Farke, needs to mature. To not over-celebrate but to stay switched on at all times if they are to ensure promotion.

Weirdly, Gnonto, 20, having arrived from FC Zurich two years ago seems to have an old head on young shoulders.

"It's my fifth season as a professional," he said. "I think it's quite a lot for only being 21 soon. I do feel like I'm experienced. I try to help the younger players when they come into the first team. I've seen many situations and different environments so if I can help my team-mates I try to as much as I can."

The Italy international forged a strong bond with last year's stand out players Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter. Both left this summer, much to the chagrin of the United fanbase, who were not happy a year ago when Gnonto handed in a transfer request as Everton circled. Since then, he has resurrected his career and his relationship with the United supporters.

"Since I came here there's always been love and hate at the same time in certain periods," he said. "But I know that they love me and I love them as well. They made me feel at home from the first day.

"Every time I go on the pitch, I try to put in this work, this running, this passion that they have as well and I feel like they can see it in me."

A new four-year contract in August reflected how key he is to hauling the club back into the Premier League:

"The deal is really important. This season, I really want to find the type of consistency I feel like I missed in the past. So the deal was a fresh start for me. I know I have the quality to find the consistency to impact games and help the team - and I want to do it on a frequent basis."

Born in Italy to parents from Ivory Coast Gnonto speaks four languages.

"At home, I speak French," he added. "So I can say that Italian and French came together. I did English at school quite well and German when I went to Switzerland. It's good for me. I like to speak to people and interact with everyone."

Gnonto can light up any room and feel comfortable anywhere. Combined with his on-pitch ability he has the components to forge an amazing career, including realising his World Cup hopes by reclaiming his place with the Azzurri in two years time.

But he has to do well at club level first.

"My goal is to be there," he said. "I know if I do things properly, work hard and focus on Leeds then I know everything is going to come."

That's a language everyone can understand.

Check out the full interview over here, external

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

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope is "astounded" by some of the reaction to a dominant 2-0 win on the road at Cardiff City.

Have a look at a clip of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet below or listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

When Largie Ramazani beat the offside trap and then the Cardiff goalkeeper last Saturday afternoon in Wales, in his first start in English senior football, it wasn't a surprise. His first goal in La Liga had come in an eerily similar fashion against Real Madrid.

“I was confident I was going to score today. I just had that feeling,” Largie said after the game last weekend. His attitude is in stark contrast to his reaction after his goal against Madrid two years ago: “It was so big of a shock, I didn't realise I had actually scored until after the game.” He is clearly growing in confidence.

Almeria struggled in La Liga last season and were eventually relegated, but Ramazani was one of the few who showed glimpses of his high potential. For chances created per 90 minutes, his figures sat alongside Real's Vinicius Junior, Atletico's Antoine Griezmann and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has a track record of developing youth players, especially forwards, and was cautiously complimentary of Largie: “He was there with several really nice touches, also in counter attacks, scored a fantastic goal, good movement. But he could have scored a few more and also had a few unnecessary losses of the ball and also a few chances that he missed. So there's still much to work on.”

A promotion chasing Leeds side are a different prospect to the relegation battling Almeria the young Belgian came from. Leeds' promotion may hinge on Ramazani fulfilling his potential, but his first start showed why United had faith in him.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Leeds reporter Adam Pope says Daniel Farke is the "most capable around" of leading the Whites to Premier League promotion despite some supporter criticism about his style of play.

Farke's Leeds have begun their Championship campaign with 11 points from six games and currently occupy the final play-off place after Saturday's comfortable win at 10-man Cardiff.

"Look at the season as a whole," Pope told the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast. "It is an attritional marathon and along the way you have stumbles, you're gonna lose some games. You're gonna have boring streaks to run through.

"But, you're effective and you're keeping up the pace, which is what Leeds have done. You have little surges where you have momentum and then it's a sprint to the line. It's a little bit of everything.

"I think Saturday falls into that category. Yes, it may have been a bit functional but they got it done. We've seen them fail against 10 men in the past and I didn't feel there was any chance of that happening.

"I think Leeds did a lot of good things. It may not be the most entertaining, it might be functional and it's not Marcelo Bielsa - I get that. But if that is your biggest crime then there's nothing Daniel Farke can do about that.

"This is a calculated gamble of who is the best fit for Leeds to get back into the Premier league. All the stats and all the evidence shows that Farke is the most capable around of doing that.

"It would have happened last year any other year. This year he's going about it in a way that suggests that he could be there again. What do people want?"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Leeds United are keen to open new contract talks with Wales winger Daniel James, 26. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United have announced new plans to improve Elland Road.

The Whites, who have been at their iconic ground since 1919, hope to increase capacity from 37,645 to 53,000 and hope to do so with minimal disruption.

The club said the move will lead to "greatly improved general admission and hospitality facilities".

A statement read: "The revitalisation will focus on increasing capacity to the North and West Stands and will be delivered in phases to maintain as much seating as possible during construction.

"The club, along with owners 49ers Enterprises, have brought in specialist acoustic consultants to ensure Elland Road’s unique atmosphere is retained.

"Leeds United’s owners, 49ers Enterprises, have a wealth of experience having built the famous Levi’s Stadium, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the world, whilst members of the club’s board are renowned for overseeing successful major real estate projects across the globe."

As part of the plans, the club says it will be working with architects KSS, engineers Buro Happold and management team RISE, who have helped deliver successful mixed-use projects in the UK.

Leeds United are sixth in the Championship table after beating Cardiff 2-0 on Saturday.

BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast looks back at that victory and also discusses why some of the fanbase are still divided over recent performances.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

A new episode of My Mate's A Footballer has landed.

This week Patrick Bamford talks about media training for players and how individuals are selected to speak to the press after a difficult defeat.

Get the episode here

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United travel to bottom side Cardiff City on Saturday for a rare 15:00 BST kick-off.

It will be the Whites' first chance to recover after the first league defeat of the season last weekend against Burnley where manager Daniel Farke felt his side had performed well.

He has been speaking ahead of the trip to South Wales where he will still be without Wales international Dan James:

• Winger Manor Solomon is the major injury doubt with a back problem. Defender Joe Rodon has missed two training sessions due to a glute issue and Junior Firpo has been struggling with a ligament problem while Joe Rothwell has rolled his ankle. However, Farke expects the trio and striker Patrick Bamford to be available and centre-back Max Wober is training again.

• On whether he feels additional tension at this current time: "No. I don't feel pressure in these terms because I have followed this club for three decades and always had a soft spot for Leeds. I know more about this club and fell in love with it. After one bad result, everyone panics. It's not a bad thing - just everyone cares so much and is passionate about this club."

• He is not pandering to calls for a more adventurous midfield: "The balance has to be right. In football, it's important to be rock solid and at the other end, create chances. If I judge our first five games from balance, it was quite good. We tried to be more offensive in the cup and it did not work out. When I judge the past four games, we have conceded one goal after a slip from Manor.

• He pays little attention to suggestions Leeds should win because Cardiff are struggling: "I’d rather play against a team that’s won the game before. After a loss, when you have a normal week, everyone turns every stone searching for solutions. I’m pretty sure this has happened at Cardiff."

• Similarly, he feels the Bluebirds squad is equipped to turn their situation around: "Cardiff has a really good group. I look at their teamsheet: Callum Robinson, Yakou Meite, so many experienced players in the centre of the park... I think they have a team to finish in the top half. They have all the ingredients. "

• If anything, Farke believes Leeds need to even more focused if they are to be successful: "We have to be more aware. I’m fully aware of the quality of the players. We have to be even more switched on."

Listen to build-up and full-match commentary on Cardiff v Leeds from 14:00 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio Leeds FM with Louis Reynolds, Adam Pope and former Whites defender Jon Newsome.

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