Leeds United

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.

Want to see all the best football content from BBC Sport in one place? Now you can with the new BBC Football channel on WhatsApp.

The feed that is available alongside new BBC Sport and BBC Cricket channels gives you another way to stay up to date with our coverage of your favourite sports.

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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

In the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix reflect on overcoming a possible banana skin on Friday night by beating Sheffield Wednesday.

The panel also ask, with nine games to go, is promotion within their grasp?

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Is getting promoted to the Premier League too easy if you've just been relegated?

Daniel Storey from the i Newspaper has been telling The Football News Show about a problem brewing in winning promotion and battling the drop.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer here

Chelsea have made a winger one of their summer transfer priorities, with Leeds United's Dutch under-21 international Crysencio Summerville, 22, a top target. (Teamtalk), external

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

What's the difference between a press and a counter-press? Route one and possession football? Counter-attacking and parking the bus?

Patrick Bamford nobly attempts to explain these football tactics and gives insight into what style he most enjoys playing and watching.

Listen to the My Mate's A Footballer podcast on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Tea, that most quintessential of English drinks is often referred to by Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, accompanied with a slice of cake.

Whether having a cup on the sofa to celebrate a victory or to challenge those responsible for the relentless fixture schedule, Farke cleverly weaves his adopted country's favourite brew into various scenarios.

After a hard-fought night at the coal face against Stoke City, his men had to delve to the bottom of the flask to prevail.

"At Elland Road people expect us to beat every opponent and, right now, against a team not in the best position in the league, it should be an easy win. It feels like the atmosphere in the stadium is of people going for a cup of tea and a cake perhaps, instead of this explosion we had against Leicester, when everyone was on it," said the German.

Farke made it clear he is not criticising the club's fans, but he did add that they are essential, especially in this period of grinding through the multitude of games during which it "feels like Leeds against the world so we need our supporters even more".

He continued: "You can't also expect Elland Road is always such a firework. When you have 23 home games, plus cup games, then it's more like a candle that burns from both sides. And probably at the end of the season no-one shows up at Elland Road any more. We need our supporters further on."

United may not be drinking from the finest china at the moment, but even if it is from a builder's mug, the Earl Grey all goes down the same hole and has the same effect.

Some of the 10 wins from the past 11 league games may taste a bit different, but there is always a satisfying feeling afterwards.

Come May, Farke may just be able to take the "knife between the teeth" - which is how he describes how many opponents are fighting - to cut a celebratory slice of 'victorious' sponge, washed down with a classic cuppa.

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds could play a part in something never seen before in English football this season.

If the Whites, Leicester and Southampton manage to secure promotion to the top flight, it will be the first time that all three relegated teams go back up at the first possible opportunity.

If only two of the three teams secure promotion, it will be the seventh time that has happened, with Norwich and Watford in 2020-21 the most recent to achieve this feat.

Kieran McKenna's Ipswich are the team most likely to disrupt this record as they are currently second with 10 games to go.

Game on!

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Friday's Championship trip to Sheffield Wednesday (20:00 GMT kick-off).

The Whites take their 11-match unbeaten league run to Hillsborough where they will come up against resurgent hosts who have won four games in a row.

Here are the key lines from the news conference:

• There are no fresh injury worries after Tuesday's hard-fought 1-0 win over Stoke City and Farke expects to name the same squad. That means Jaidon Anthony will be missing for personal reasons after the funeral of his mother earlier in the week. Farke confirmed that United's Ian Poveda is ineligible for Sheffield Wednesday as part of the terms of his loan deal.

• Farke said he has been impressed with how his attacking players have coped with the physical challenges they have been subjected to recently, adding: "You are in the spotlight as an offensive player - as a striker, a number 10 or a winger. The opponent is even more focused and concentrated on you. They try to double up on players or play more aggressively... sometimes over the line."

• He continued: "I've spoken about this topic. The referee helps protect the health of the players better, and makes it clear early in the game that it's also about health. You can be competitive and aggressive, but make sure after the game that everyone can still walk."

• Farke on Friday's fixture: "It's two sides who are on really good form. They're still in a position where they have to fight against relegation but they are one of the most in-form teams at the moment. We are also in brilliant shape."

Image source, PA Media

Manager Daniel Farke was pleased that Leeds United extended their "remarkable" run of form on Tuesday, keeping the pressure on Leicester City and Ipswich Town at the top of the Championship with a 1-0 home win over Stoke City.

"In the first half, I was pretty happy," said Farke. "We created so many chances but just scored one goal out of our dominance. In the second half, we were a bit too concentrated on our transition moments instead of dominating the game more with possession and being rock solid against the ball.

"Obviously, it was tempting because we had so many good counter-attacking situations and great chances, two or three times we were one against one with the goalkeeper. If you don't score the second goal, it's a bit like a basketball game - transition, transition - they also had their spells and some good shooting positions.

"It was a hard-fought win. These types of wins, especially when the schedule is like this, are the best wins."

Leeds have taken 31 points from their 11 league games since the turn of the year.

Farke added: "Having this schedule and to be unbeaten in 2024 with this amount of wins -10 wins and one draw, eight clean sheets and three times we have just conceded one goal - it is remarkable. We are pretty happy with the lads.

"The only problem is we have to recover again pretty quickly - in two and a half days we face another opponent [Sheffield Wednesday on Friday] and we have to be on it again."

Listen to more reaction to Tuesday's Championship games on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast has been previewing Leeds United's upcoming games against Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday, and the state of play in the Championship title race.

Sports editor Jonny Buchan said: "A big week ahead because it's two games that many people will look at and be like 'win, win'. That's what it has to be - particularly with the way that results have gone over the weekend.

"Leicester losing, Southampton winning just, Ipswich winning. I feel like now it's a four-horse race for the title."

He continued: "Leeds have to show some sort of bouncebackability and get a really good display on Tuesday to take down to Hillsborough on Friday."

Commentator Adam Pope added: "It does feel like this is must-win against Stoke, because it is points dropped if they don't beat Stoke.

"I'm not saying it's creating more pressure on Leeds because we sort of expect them to win at home. But bearing in mind what's to come on Friday, I think they've got to get this one over the line."

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix said: "The minimum requirement at this stage is to win at home and draw away. If we can win some away games as well, that really puts us in the mix."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds