Leeds United

The end of the Championship season is fast approaching, with just three points separating the top three and fourth-placed Southampton six points behind with games in hand.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix believes Leicester City still have "a few wins left in the tank" as they push for promotion to the Premier League.

"Leeds are third favourites now. Ipswich are not completely collapsing - they're doing the best of the teams and they've got a big break now. They'll be able to see what they need to do. It could be high pressure but it could be a couple of points. They might just need one win and be done.

"Leicester, in theory, could have a four-point lead on Leeds so we're needing them to lose two of their last four games. They've been losing but will it continue? I'm sure they've got a few wins left in the tank.

"It's really interesting as things get settled. Obviously Blackburn beating us makes them safe. We need Huddersfield to still need something on the last day of the season [against Ipswich]."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Aaron Paul, ex-Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff and Wycombe defender Joe Jacobson discuss the Championship promotion race and much more from the English Football League on the latest episode of the BBC's Football Daily 72+ podcast.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

With under a month remaining of what is now a three-horse race for automatic promotion from the Championship, the days of frantically checking on scores elsewhere and trying to predict the final table are upon me.

Leeds are not in the driver's seat as things stand, but with one point between first and third, it is just a big game of musical chairs.

As if one win in four games for Leeds since returning from the international break was not painful enough, Stuart Dallas - who has been out injured for just under two years - broke hearts on Wednesday when he announced his retirement from professional football.

Following his thanks to players and staff alike, he bowed out with: "Don't give it up now boys, you've got four games left to go." It not only epitomizes everything Dallas is about, but echoes every supporter.

Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich managed just two points between them earlier this week, scoring no goals. It follows a rocky run of form for all three sides post-break and sets up many a twist and turn in the closing weeks.

Let's do it for Dallas.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Leeds United's Championship game against Blackburn on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from the Whites manager:

• On Ipswich Town and Leicester City also "dropping points" earlier this week: "My attitude is not that you drop points, it is that you can't win points. Obviously, we would have preferred to have made a big step with three points, but you always have to be respectful. If you can't win a game, then you have to make sure there is a second best result, where you win one point."

• Farke is "not sure" whether he will watch Leicester City in action against Plymouth on Friday night because Leeds have already played against the two teams twice, so therefore he does not feel it is "necessary to analyse them a bit more".

• It is "difficult to predict" what to expect from Blackburn: "In this league, you cannot compare anything. I am pretty respectful of their quality in the offence. If you are not switched on against them, they can hurt each and every opponent because they have so many players who can make things happen."

• He believes Blackburn "probably need a few points" to completely be out of relegation danger and he expects "a highly motivated team who want to show a reaction at a ground where they have nothing to lose".

• Farke praised Rovers' top goalscorer Sammie Szmodics: "A player in record form. He has scored so many goals during this season and also a handful of assists. They are very dangerous. They have shown, just a couple of weeks ago, what they are capable of doing. They were able to score five goals against Sunderland and cut them into pieces."

• There were no further injuries picked up midweek and "everyone is in good shape". It was "important" for Ethan Ampadu to "recover a little bit" and for Willy Gnonto and Connor Roberts "to prepare after their muscle injuries".

• Farke said the younger players have not yet realised what they have achieved this season: "When they are in it, they don't think much about it. You need the energy and enthusiasm just to enjoy the road and not think too much about what we can achieve, or how we can write our names in the history books of the club - because otherwise you are too nervous, over-motivated and over-excited.

• On having confidence going into the final stretch, Farke added: "I like the fact that we are playing, in terms of points, the best season in the history of this club. We have got the best home record in the history of this club this season. We are by far the best team in the second half of this season. We have the best home record and defensive record of all the teams."

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The first question, inevitably, was "will the club be sanctioned?"

Little wonder when Leeds United's financial accounts for the year to June 30, 2023 announced a staggering operating loss of £105m. The answer is no, thanks to the sales of both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha to Manchester City and Barcelona respectively.

That helped to bring in more than £70m and reduce the deficit to nearer £34m. Those running the club detail in their strategic report that doing so helped evolve the squad "whilst prudently managing the club's finances within the Premier League's Profit and Sustainabilty rules (PSR)."

But there is no doubt that the previous board under then chairman and majority owner Andrea Radrizzani flashed the club's credit card in a failed bid to preserve top flight status beyond a third campaign before full control was handed to San Francisco 49ers Enterprises last September.

With the wage bill having risen 20% to £146m, and pay offs for head coaches like Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia costing £9.5m, it was a testing 12 months for United.

At least that is behind them now but the prospect of not recovering the value on players who have not been up to standard is not. United spent £170m on incoming transfers including Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca and Max Wober and all of them are out on loan.

Off the pitch United performed strongly by some metrics bringing in a record £189.7m. But the old adage is that turnover is vanity and profit is sanity. Player sales are the short term panacea when the business is nowhere near able to wipe its own face.

With £190m owed in transfer fees, of which £73m is due by the end of June alone, not returning to the Premier League will inevitably mean selling more of the family silver.

Bayer Leverkusen have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the race to sign Leeds United's Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, 22. (Bild via Teamtalk), external

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

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Stuart Dallas is a Leeds United icon because he is widely admired. His back catalogue with the club includes stunning goals, promotion and a versatility which saw him play on the wing, in midfield and at full-back. His work ethic and desire to improve are what stood out to me though.

As part of the band of brothers under Marcelo Bielsa who saw the club finally win promotion to the Premier League in 2020, the Northern Ireland international will forever be remembered.

To score both goals in a 2-1 victory at Manchester City with 10 men exactly three years to the day prior to announcing his retirement, to effectively seeing his career ended playing the same opponents, shows the gossamer thread between elation and despair. The latter he says "he is at peace with".

Dallas was a pleasure to watch because he gave every ounce of himself even when he was finding it tough. Single-handedly he almost rescued a 4-3 aggregate play-off semi-final defeat to Derby County in Bielsa's first season, scoring twice. He was just as good to deal with in person. 'The Cookstown Cafu', as he was known, was true to his roots - humble, witty and without ego. A rare breed in any walk of life, let alone football.

His former chairman Brian Dallas (no relation) at Coagh United took him under his wing and tried to give him a trade. He joked "it is as well Stuart made it as a footballer because he certainly would not have made it as a joiner".

Stuart Dallas will always will be very much part of the furniture at Leeds United.

• Listen to Dallas speak to BBC Radio Leeds here

Image source, Getty Images

“Mentally, I’m totally fine. I’m at peace with it.”

Those are the brave words of Stuart Dallas after announcing injury has brought an end to his career at the age of 32.

Dallas says a "positive energy" in the Leeds squad has "got me through it".

"I'm gutted but there are people in worse off positions than me," he says.

"I've had the career I've had, the responsibility of playing for this club."

Watch a clip of Dallas speaking to BBC Radio Leeds here, external

Stuart Dallas says he has retired from football "with a heavy heart" having undergone tireless work to come back from an injury sustained in April 2022.

The Leeds United player says he "must accept my knee suffered irreparable damage" and that he is "devastated by the news".

Brentford have moved to post on X: "The goals at Fulham, the last minute winner against Derby, thank you for all the memories you gave us, Stuart! We all wish you the best in the next stage of your career."

Dallas has written: "As a young boy growing up in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, all I ever wanted was to play professional football and I will be eternally grateful that for me, that dream came true. This may not be how fairytales are supposed to end but I must now deal with the fact this chapter of my life is drawing to a close."

Dallas paid tribute to former coaches Michael O'Neill and Marcelo Bielsa and described Liam Cooper as "a truly wonderful human".

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United's Stuart Dallas has announced his retirement from football.

The 32-year-old, who joined from Brentford in 2015, has undergone extensive treatment on a femoral fracture suffered against Manchester City in April 2022 but will be unable to return to play.

In announcing the news, Leeds described the Northern Ireland international as "a legend for both club and country".

"Showing his versatility on either side as a winger, at left-back, right-back and centre midfield, Dallas always played with 100 per cent effort wherever asked," the club said.

"Naturally, there is great sadness from everyone within the club about this news, but we all wish Stuart the very best in his retirement.

"It goes without saying, Stuart is an icon of Leeds United and will always be welcome at Elland Road, his contribution will live long in the memory and he has cemented his place in history.

"We are currently in discussions with Stuart about a future role, to continue his association with the club going forwards.

Leeds United supporters can show support, respect and appreciation for Stuart, who will be introduced onto the pitch at half-time of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road, along with his family."

Dallas has earned 266 appearances for Leeds, scoring 28 goals, and also featured 62 times for Northern Ireland.

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix has described Tuesday's 0-0 Championship draw with Sunderland as a "frustrating" result - particularly as Leicester City also dropped points in defeat at Millwall.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Rix believes the Whites, who have won only one of their past four, are hitting a bad run at the worst possible time.

He said: "It was a missed opportunity with the table. It feels like we're a bit out of form right when we need to be bang in form.

"I don't want to be too disheartened. We've gone up to second.

"But with Leicester losing - we needed some of the other teams to drop some points and let us into it. They've done that and we've done everything apart from score a goal.

"It felt quite early on that it was going to be one of those days."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

The last time Leeds United lost, Daniel Farke made changes.

The away defeat by West Brom in the final game of 2023 signalled the end of Georginio Rutter as a striker. Rutter dropped to 10 and Patrick Bamford came in at nine and Leeds went unbeaten in the Championship for four months.

Bamford's re-introduction was transformative. Rutter - statistically Leeds' worst finisher – flourished in a deeper position, while Patrick scored seven in 10 league games. But Bamford's recent form has fans questioning the striker role again.

"Patrick needs to deliver and he knows the last games he could be a bit stronger in holding the ball a bit better and be a bit more focused in front of the goal," Farke said during Monday's pre-Sunderland news conference.

In no season at Leeds has Bamford outperformed his expected goals (xG) metric. Yet successive managers have stuck with him for his tireless work-rate on and off the ball.

After the record-breaking season Leeds have had, it is testament to the form of the rest of the Whites' forward line that there is still a debate over the striker position.

With five games left and promotion on the line, Farke must be wondering whether to stick or twist with Bamford.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix reflect on a rare defeat at the hands of Coventry City as the Championship title race took another turn.

The panel ask why it happened and what needs to happen now for an instant response.

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Rix questioned whether it is time for manager Daniel Farke to rotate striker Patrick Bamford for Joel Piroe, who came off the bench as part of a double change which saw Bamford replaced and then scored the consolation against the Sky Blues.

"He [Bamford] usually thrives with competition and sticking someone else in," he said.

"Piroe's come in and scored a goal. I know he doesn't necessarily play number nine but he was the guy in the summer we went out and bought to score the goals.

"I wonder if in this final little push we should try to find a place for him. I don't quite know where, I don't know if instead of Patrick.

"When he was playing with Georgi, it was more Georgi at nine and him at 10, and I don't know if he does the running that Patrick does.

"It's the same record again and again - same as the Bielsa era. The stuff Bamford does off the ball is why he gets so many games.

"He does score a few but his pressing of defenders and stuff like that is his main skill. Farke's said his commitment without the ball has been good, but I feel he hasn't been doing it."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Leeds United host Sunderland in the Championship on Tuesday (20:00 BST kick-off).

For the first time in 2024, Farke has to pick his side up after a league defeat following Saturday's 2-1 loss at Coventry City.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Captain Ethan Ampadu (illness) is a major doubt. Farke said he needs to complete a short training session on Tuesday before the game to have a chance of playing.

• Connor Roberts and Willy Gnonto are both expected to be on the bench again.

• Farke backed Patrick Bamford, who was substituted during the second half of the defeat at Coventry: "Right now we've played 41 games and it's important not to question our players too much. In some situations he could be more focused, but don't underestimate what he is doing for us. It's important we back our key players. Now is not the time for experiments."

• He added that Bamford is not a "guaranteed starter" and said Mateo Joseph has been doing well.

• On the run-in: "I'm at my best when the sea is getting rough and you have to show leadership. But football is never just a manager's game. The most important are the players."

• On Sunderland and if they have anything to play for: "Nothing to play for is all relative in football. [They have had [several manager changes. First change in management, they were sitting close to the top six. It says a lot about their ambition and where they want to finish."

• He added: "Playing Leeds feels like a cup game for every opponent. Opponents want to be the first team to win here [at Elland Road]. You could say they can play with freedom without anything to lose."

With the Championship heading into the crucial end of season run-in, BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast takes a look over the Whites' final few games of the campaign.

The panel discuss where the points could be won and lost as they chase the title and automatic promotion.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Leicester City are separated by two points at the top of the Championship - which teams will "hold their nerve" in the closing weeks of the season to win promotion to the Premier League?

The top two have six games remaining, while the third-placed Foxes have what could prove to be a pivotal game in hand on their title rivals.

Former Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff told the BBC's 72+ podcast: "You've still got three [contenders] that are so difficult to call in terms of who will get over the line to be the top two. And also the team who doesn't, what impact that will have for them going into the play-offs."

Cambridge striker Lyle Taylor added: "I feel Ipswich are in a really strong position - they've got points on the board. Leicester have a game in hand, which will come into play. I do feel like Leicester have possibly got the upper hand.

"We haven't seen a title race like this in years in the Championship and this is going to go right down to the wire because Ipswich just never, ever die.

"Who is going to hold their nerve? Who has got the most experience, or will the youthful exuberance of an Ipswich side carry them over the line? I can't see past Leicester - that's my view."

McAnuff continued: "If I was those three teams, I would want Leeds' run-in, for sure.

"The energy, feeling and belief is with Ipswich and Leeds at the moment. I look at Leicester's fixtures and the next three are massive. If they can beat Birmingham, Millwall and Plymouth - all teams at the wrong end of the table - the psychological impact then comes back around to what it looks like for those last three or four games."

Listen to the full podcast, including an interview with Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"I think we could fill the Etihad, to be honest. They might even need a bigger stadium than that."

The words of Leeds United Under-18s coach Rob Etherington after his side made it through to the FA Youth Cup final to face Manchester City by beating Millwall 4-3 in front of more than 10,493 supporters on a filthy night at Elland Road on Thursday.

Etherington is only the second coach to have taken Leeds this far in the competition after Paul Hart won the final twice in 1993 and 1997.

With genuine pride after seeing his charges come from behind to eventually edge a seven-goal thriller after being twice pegged back, 32-year-old Etherington added: "It's what separates us from every other club and academy - ten and a half thousand here.

"It makes us so proud to play and represent this football club. It makes a big difference and it builds up the occasion.

"The fanbase will back the young players because we support our own. I said to the players at half-time we need to set the tone and ramp it up a little bit because I was feeling the energy from the crowd and I knew they were.

"I felt we still had gears to go. If you show that energy and that passion to the crowd, they'll get behind you. As soon as it does, it becomes a snowball and the momentum happens. They certainly felt that."

The final is scheduled for 4 May at Manchester City's Academy but Etherington is keen for it to move with the senior side in final day Championship action against Southampton.

"The club would back it. We want as much focus and pressure on the players as possible. If we could avoid that date, I think we would do that."