Leeds United

After receiving hundreds of messages, Patrick and Joe have released a part two of answering your questions on this week's My Mate's A Footballer podcast.

Leeds striker Bamford was asked about his recent goal against Rotherham which appeared to go in off his arm:

"At the time, I thought, ‘it’s really close to me, but I can’t quite get it with my body, so I’m just going to nudge it with my elbow’.

"I thought, ‘that’s really subtle, everyone will think it came off my chest’. I ran off and as I’m running off, I tried to make it look normal. Looked back and their players are going mental. The ref’s given the goal. Stupidly, I did a celebration where I tapped my elbow. The goal was already given.

"Afterwards, we’re walking back to the centre circle – one of their players asked me, ‘did you handball it?’ I said yeah. The ref said, ‘did it touch your hand?’, before it had kicked off again. To be fair, it didn’t touch my hand, it touched my elbow, so I said ‘no, it didn’t touch my hand’."

Would he prefer the game with or without VAR?

"For supporters, it needs to be refined a lot to not take the joy out of the game. I think simple things like, with offside, if it’s that close, you’re literally just an inch offside, I think it has to be really obvious. If it’s not obvious to the natural eye, then it’s not offside. I’d keep goal line technology and then I’d just keep it for penalties or red cards."

On the Crystal Palace collapse last season – was there a dressing room bust-up?

"They scored just before half-time, so it was 1-1. We ended up losing 5-1. Afterwards, it came out that there was this fight in the changing room. There wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. People were maybe shouting a little bit because we’d just conceded before half-time.

"I’ve been in the changing room where there’s been actual bust-ups at Leeds – like people have had to be separated, but that game, where everyone thinks there was one, there actually wasn’t. I guess it’s an easy way to explain the fact that we came out and lost 5-1."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Leeds United are set to offer midfielder Archie Gray, 18, an improved contract in the summer amid interest from top-six Premier League clubs. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

When Millwall captain Jake Cooper leapt into the air and planted a knee to the face of Joe Rodon, referee Stephen Martin was perfectly placed and unmoved. Cooper then flicked the ball into the air with his hand.

It was the second handball by a Millwall player, in their own box, during the first half of Sunday's match at Elland Road. They added to a myriad of other fouls that were missed in a poor game for the officials.

Leeds United won anyway, and now sit top of the Championship table after a record number of wins at this stage of any season in their history.

But, in a campaign that could come down to goal difference, these decisions matter.

Refereeing at grassroots level is poorly paid and abuse is endemic. Nearly a third of grassroots referees told BBC Radio 5 Live that they had been physically abused. This doesn't seem like an ideal environment to educate the future officials of English football's top tiers.

While abuse of referees is abhorrent, the standards have to improve.

The standards have been noticeably poor this season, not just on Sunday.

There is more money in football than there has ever been before, so surely it is in everyone's best interest to pay, train and protect referees more?

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds United have become only the second team in history to have been 17 points or more behind the leaders of the Championship table and then go on to top the division, after Reading completed the same feat in the 2011-12 campaign.

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix and BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope have been discussing the "amazing" achievement from Daniel Farke's men on the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

It has taken 38 games but Leeds United have finally overhauled Leicester City to go top of the Championship table, after beating Millwall at Elland Road.

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix told BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast it was a "professional" performance from Daniel Farke's side:

"Another win! It was nice, wasn't it?

"It was quite professional and another one where you felt a bit nervous going into it. given it was Millwall and they are on a good run. Neil Harris is back too. Saying that, I actually predicted it would be 2-0, and it was, so I'm happy.

"As long as we got the first goal, I was confident. There was that little period at 1-0 where they made us feel really awkward, because it wouldn't be Leeds United if we didn't!

"Overall I thought it was very professional."

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope added: "Honestly, I took an inordinate amount of pleasure from that game. I don't know if it is because it was Millwall and Harris, and we've seen so much stuff go on in the past, but I just thought the way they went about it was very professional.

"It never felt like it was going to get away from them. There was a little moment when I thought, 'It could go 1-1 here' but the way they handled the game was superb. They just didn't get involved in that fight.

"If this season goes the way we want it to go, that sort of game is the one where you think, 'Yes, this side knows exactly what they are doing, the manager knows exactly what he is doing, and they are really mature and know how to go about it'.

"At no point did I really fear for them. This clean sheet record is ridiculous now - I think it's nine in the past 12 games for [Illan] Meslier."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United have the opportunity to go top of the Championship before the international break. If they beat Millwall on Sunday (15:00 GMT) by a two-goal margin then they will go above leaders Leicester City who are in FA Cup action.

Before the fixture at Elland Road, manager Daniel Farke spoke to the media and here are the key lines:

• In terms of team news, Jamie Shackleton and Jaidon Anthony are available but defender Pascal Struijk (adductor) has had a set back with his recovery.

• Farke says the next 10 days are decisive for Struijk. If he requires surgery he will miss the remainder of the season. If an injection is sufficient then he could be back after the international break.

• Archie Gray, 18, has been called up to the England Under-21s squad and Farke said: "When you watch his games, the consistency, the quality of the performances, also his personality, it says enough. You don't have to be a football expert to know how good Archie is. He's so down to earth and humble."

• During the week since beating Sheffield Wednesday Farke revealed the training regime: "In the beginning, it was important to calm the load down. We were in on Saturday with a proper session for those who did not play 90 minutes. We analysed the Wednesday game and then allowed the players a few days off after that. It was important to calm the load down. After these two days, we started to prepare for Millwall. Its been good to have time on the training pitch. It will be a difficult game. We have had a good opportunity to prepare in the best way."

• Farke on Millwall under new boss Neil Harris after winning 3-0 away earlier this season at the New Den: "Difficult at this time. Even then they were strong in set-pieces. There's a change of management and style since then. Neil Harris is back in charge. He knows the club inside out. Ten points in the last four games is very impressive. It's difficult to create chances against them They are dangerous on the counter and with set-pieces. Compact and competitive. I expect a tight game."

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

Well, well, well... Just two months ago Leeds United were 17 points adrift of league leaders Leicester City, but in two days time we can go above them.

It's yet another twist in this freak promotion race, alongside Southampton's 25-game unbeaten run and the relentlessness of Ipswich, who were in League One last season.

It was anarchy in the away end at Hillsborough last Friday, as Leeds cruised past in-form Sheffield Wednesday. There was a general feeling in the build-up that this was a banana skin fixture, especially following the 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town. Both Yorkshire rivals are fighting for survival, but we did not slip.

The significance of our win was only heightened on Saturday as I shamefully celebrated not one, but two Cardiff City goals - 1-0 up in the 95th minute and 2-1 down in the 100th – Ipswich Town, who have so often scored late goals this season, finally got a taste of their own medicine. It was almost the perfect weekend as Leicester held Hull City to a draw having trailed twice, and Sunderland came back from 2-0 down against Southampton – only to lose 4-2.

With Leicester City off playing Chelsea in the FA Cup this Sunday, a win by two or more goals against Millwall would put us top of the Championship for the first time this campaign.

To parody Jack Nicholson in 1980's The Shining - Heeeere's Leeds!

Spain's Football Federation has informed the Football Association that they wish to select Leeds United's 20-year-old Spain-born striker Mateo Joseph, an England Under-20 international, for their Under-21 team's upcoming games. (AS - in Spanish), external

Want more news? Read Friday's full gossip column

After receiving hundreds of messages, Patrick and Joe open the floor to your questions this week on the My Mate's A Footballer podcast.

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford is asked: If you could only play a starting XI made up of 10 of the same player alongside him, who would it be?

"You'd need someone who could defend a bit, someone who is creative and they'd have to go in goal," says Bamford.

"Kalvin Phillips but he'd be a bit of a pony on the wing. But I think every other position he'd have nailed on. So he could play full-back, centre-back and midfield."

As for using someone he's played against, he added: "I'm kind of stuck between two. I feel like if I had a whole team of Bernardo Silva's I don't think we' lose the ball ever. He's so good with using his body, low to the ground, his technique is a joke and football intelligence.

"Trent can do a bit of everything, I think centre-back might be a bit of a struggle. Not sure if he was a right-back all his life but his technical ability and they way he can strike the ball, there's no one better."

Watch the full episode of the podcast on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United's Ethan Ampadu and Dan James are set to make their 50th appearances for Wales in next week's European Championship qualifying semi-final against Finland in Cardiff.

Tottenham loanee Joe Rodon is only six behind them.

But out in front past the half-century mark is the final member of the club's Welsh quartet: Connor Roberts.

On their selection, Wales manager Rob Page said: "They're great lads, first and foremost, for what they've given to us as a country."

While his three compatriots were mentioned by name, Burnley loanee Roberts flew under the radar - which is probably ideal for a man whose neat moustache and quiffed, jet-black hair makes him look like he's been flying Spitfires behind enemy lines before swapping his RAF uniform for a Leeds kit.

Roberts has certainly endeared himself to Whites fans as well as the Red Wall. He is proving himself something of a cult hero - and not just for his dashing looks.

It is incredible how a player can immediately bond with a club and its supporters, even more so when he has only made two starts in his eight appearances.

But one goal, one assist, a few bone-crunching tackles and several swashbuckling runs are the medals he already has from his all-action style.

Roberts was an astute move in the transfer window for a seasoned campaigner. The sort of guy who would have your back in the trenches as well as the cockpit.

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Wales boss Rob Page has named a 28-man squad for the upcoming semi-final and possible play-off final.

Wales face Finland at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, 21 March, with a potential final against Poland or Estonia to follow five days later, also in Cardiff, for a place at this summer's European Championship.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

His face bespeckled with dried sweat, dirt and blood - cast in a grimace - this could become the iconic image of Joe Rodon's time at Leeds United. But Leeds will want to make sure that time extends long after the end of his loan spell this summer.

Despite a head injury that left Rodon bleeding from a cut under his eyebrow for most of Friday night's Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough, no player on the pitch won more aerial duels or had more headed clearances.

“The scars keep coming” said Rodon, before handing fellow Welshman Ethan Ampadu the player of the match award.

Since the Tottenham loanee was paired with Ampadu at centre-back at the start of the year, Leeds have not conceded a goal from open play in 12 games. The nine clean sheets they have to start a year has beaten a club record held since 1969.

Leeds had to look past a poor loan spell at Rennes to see Rodon's worth, but Ampadu's hat-trick of relegations reduced his stock to £7m plus add-ons.

Daniel Farke saw something in the pair that others didn't. And whether promoted or not, Leeds must build their future around Rodon and Ampadu.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

Image source, Getty Images

The Don't Go To Bed Just Yet panel discussed Junior Firpo's defensive limitations and what may have to change at the back next season should Daniel Farke's side be promoted to the Premier League.

"Is he [Firpo] just a left winger?," questioned BBC Radio Leeds sports editor Jonny Buchan. "His delivery into the box, his assists are racking up.

"Is he just a left winger and he's been bought as a left back and everyone's labelled him as a left-back?

"Maybe he was a left back for Barcelona where nobody attacks them but playing in a competitive league for a competitive team - maybe he's just a left winger."

"I just think it depends on what you're doing as a team," responded Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix.

"Maybe it's just modern left-backs but maybe it's exacerbated by having Firpo, who can't defend, [Ethan] Ampadu, who's a midfielder, [Joe] Rodon, who's great, and Archie [Gray], who's a midfielder. That's our defence. We're playing this hybrid that seems to work but on paper it's crazy.

"A lot of things need to be adjusted next season if we go up. I don't think Ampadu will play in defence, for example. He'll go back to where he's meant to play and maybe we'll use a double-pivot."

"It would have to be addressed next season in the Premier League because at the start of the season teams were trying to attack our right-back area but now it's obvious keepers are aiming to go over the top of Firpo or hit that touchline," Buchan added.

"Chelsea exposed Leeds down that side - it is an issue. We might get away with it this season but it can't continue."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Tottenham are ready to let 26-year-old Wales defender Joe Rodon make a permanent move to Leeds United in the summer, after being on loan with the Championship club this season. (Football Insider), external

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

Patrick Bamford scored a "proper goal" as Leeds overcame Sheffield Wednesday.

Is he returning to his best? The team on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet have had their say on his goal and the tricky fixtures to come.

The full episode is available on BBC Sounds here