Leeds United

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Staunton once scoffed at suggestions that promotion-chasing Leeds United were under pressure by quipping: "Pressure is for tyres."

When Staunton said that 16 years ago, as assistant manager he had helped oversee a six-match unbeaten run in league and cup to climb to fourth place in League One. Having been beaten in the play-off final the year before, fan expectations were high.

Different division, different era but 2024 has a feel of 2008 about it. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.

"If there is pressure at Leeds, it is a lovely pressure to have", added Staunton. "I would rather be where we are than at a club which has no money, no support and is just hoping to stay in the division."

If some Leeds United supporters are applying disproportionate pressure to manager Daniel Farke after a first league defeat of the campaign, despite dominating rivals Burnley, then it comes with the territory I guess - whether it is lovely or not.

If anyone has a barometer near the dugouts at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, I would be interested to know the collective force being applied to both Farke and counterpart Erol Bulut. Like all Whites managers before him since the club's golden era, Farke has to work constantly in an overtly stressful environment. But Bulut's position is parlous.

The Bluebirds have not won a league game and prop up the Championship with a single point. Bulut may run out of road before the pressure is relieved for him but I seem to recall Southampton's Russell Martin was in a similar position a year ago.

Tread carefully.

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

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear spoke out last week against a “hugely aggressive recruitment drive” which has seen the two Manchester clubs poaching Yorkshire children for their football academies.

“We think there's 39 players playing in the Manchester United academy or the Manchester City academy who live in Yorkshire postcodes,” said Kinnear.

“So you have this hugely aggressive recruitment drive from two of the biggest clubs in world football right into our heartland where we've developed so much great talent over the years”.

Manchester City paid Leeds what the Whites believe to be a British record for a 15-year-old last November when they bought Finlay Gorman. While Manchester United recruited Jack Maguire from Halifax for their 'pre-academy' at the age of six and two-years-ago he signed his first contract at eight.

Premier League clubs signing children is not new.

Between losing players to comply with FFP regulations and losing players before they're even able to sign a professional contract, the fairytale of the homegrown player is fading. There are surely also concerns about children's welfare, and this is something that you would imagine an independent football regulator would review.

For Leeds United, the loss of so much talent from Yorkshire – while controversial in numerous ways – has definitely not helped the club. Kinnear's solution for the Whites in the short-term sounds simple enough: “The only way to fix it is to get back in the Premier League”.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Leeds reporter Adam Pope says there should not be a "meltdown" after Leeds United fell to their first Championship defeat of the season against Burnley, but Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix believes Daniel Farke's side should have been awarded a penalty during the game.

Pope spoke about the overall performance on the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast: "It wasn't great. However, I don't think a meltdown is deserved in proportion to the performance, which people are going to hate to hear.

"But most things were actually right with the performance, and things could have changed on the penalty [decision] or from missed chances."

Rix replied: "The worst thing was I was looking at it [the performance] thinking 'this is OK' - other than not scoring, the referee and other bits and pieces. We had shots, we were creating chances and we got loads of the ball.

"The midfielders had a couple of shots, especially [Ethan] Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, but they weren't hitting the target. So then you're thinking 'OK we're trying harder to score from midfield but, if they aren't going to score, then there's no point in trying'.

"Part of my frustration was the fact that I said at half-time we would score. We did look like we should and we had enough chances.

"I also think the penalty [shout] was probably a penalty. I think if you forensically researched it, you would think maybe it's not a penalty but, at that point in the game, I just cannot understand why the referee didn't give it."

Pope added his thoughts on the penalty appeal: "In real time, that looked a penalty all day long. He was taken down from behind and that is how it looked.

"The referee was quite close to it in his position, as I recall it, so I don't know how he has made that decision. I really don't know how he has come to that conclusion."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

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 Images

Leeds 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."

Listen to the full interview with Ramazani here

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 Images

The 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 Images

We 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 Images

Former 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?

Let us know here, external

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Three 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