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🎧 'This isn't about the best team, it's about pressure'published at 10:31 27 March
10:31 27 March
Media caption,
72+: The EFL Podcast
"By the end of next week, Leeds could be out of the top two and all of a sudden they are playing catch up - which sounds ridiculous," former Shrewsbury and Wycombe defender Joe Jacobson tells the 72+ podcast.
Jacobson joins Aaron Paul and former Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff as they discuss crunch time in the Championship and how Leeds may not be as imperious as they once seemed.
The league leaders face Swansea on Saturday in a bid to keep ahead of Sheffield United and Burnley.
Victories for their rivals could see Leeds knocked out of the top two if the Whites' faltering form continues, having only won one of their past four league games (D2 L1).
"Leeds need to start this next little run of games with a really good win and a good performance because I just feel the nerves are beginning to creep in around Elland Road," McAnuff said.
"They will be the least confident going to the play-offs I believe, given their history.
"This is now not about who the best team is anymore. This is about who handles pressure, who handles those big moments and we've seen at Elland Road, when that tension starts cranking up - as much as it can be a great thing when it's going well - it can be a difficult thing to control when it isn't."
'Famous last words, but I'm still confident'published at 09:44 25 March
09:44 25 March
Lewis Deighton Fan writer
Image source, Rex Features
Post-international break is where it all went wrong for Leeds United this time last season, and some fans are fearing the same fate – understandably so.
There are several factors this season, however, that look kindlier than a year ago, going into the final eight games.
We are top and two points clear of third place rather than second and one point clear of third. Our goal difference (51) is higher than the 42 it was at this stage last year – and more than double Sheffield United's.
Due to a chaotic start, we spent much of last season chasing the top two – winning every single game bar one draw from 1 January up until the March international break.
The break seemingly killed our momentum, and we looked exhausted on the back of it – winning just two of the remaining eight games (D2, L4). This break comes on the back of one win in four (D2, L1) - so needless to say it's a lot more welcome.
Another key factor is that Sheffield United and Burnley must play each other, so one is guaranteed to drop points, if not both. Leicester and Ipswich had already played each other twice by this stage last season.
Another blow in last year's international break was Georginio Rutter's surgery on a hernia – after being pulled from France's under-21 squad. He returned to Leeds half the player he was some weeks prior, and it took a few games for him to rehabilitate.
Similarly, and to play devil's advocate, Willy Gnonto has just sustained an ankle injury playing for Italy Under-21s. It comes just days after a promising performance off the bench for Leeds in a 2-2 draw at QPR – sparking calls for him to start ahead of Brenden Aaronson. The extent of the injury is currently unknown.
Considering all the above, I'm still confident that Leeds will get over the line this time around – famous last words.
🎧 How big a loss would Gnonto be?published at 14:32 24 March
14:32 24 March
Media caption,
EP 146: Crime against design
We may be in the grips of an international break but that still means there is plenty to talk about where Leeds United are concerned.
Willy Gnonto sustained an injury last week while on duty for Italy under-21s so who will replace him if he is not fit, plus with eight games remaining, just how many points will be needed to secure promotion?
There are just two of the questions being dealt with by Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope & Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix on the latest edition of BBC Radio Leeds' podcast Don't Go To Bed Just Yet.
Episode 146: Crime against design is available to download now from BBC Sounds.
Image source, BBC Sport
Severity of Gnonto injury 'not yet clear'published at 11:16 24 March
11:16 24 March
Adonis Storr Fan writer
Media caption,
Leeds United fan Adonis Storr gives BBC Sport his weekly take
He was forced off with an ankle injury during an Italy Under-21 international against the Netherlands on Friday although the severity of the problem is not yet clear.
Leeds return to Championship action on Saturday against Swansea City and will be thankful it is a 15:00 GMT kick-off as lunchtime games have seen them, on average, pick up fewer points than those starting later in the day.
Leeds to keep 'Wortley Wembley' alivepublished at 17:25 20 March
17:25 20 March
Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Several former Leeds United stars including Kalvin Phillips, Brian Deane, David Batty, Noel Whelan and Paul Madeley grew-up playing on the famous TV Harrison ground in Wortley in Leeds.
In 2022 campaigners trying to save the historic football pitch known as 'Wortley's Wembley' from having houses built upon in it managed to secure it as an "asset of community value".
This meant the local community had the first say in what should happen to it.
For Deane, the TV Harrison ground is an important part of the city's sporting heritage.
"It's got so many iconic memories for a lot of people," he previously told the BBC.
"This is where I had my first taste of playing teams outside of Leeds and it really meant something."
Whelan added: "Cup finals were played on here. A lot of good players who went on to play for Leeds started here. It's where we developed our skills. This could be a really good opportunity to develop the next superstar of Leeds United."
Three years on and there has been even better news. On Wednesday night local Labour MP for Leeds South West and Morley, Mark Sewards, announced that the future of the TV Harrison Sports Ground was assured thanks to the help of Leeds United.
On social media he posted: "Leeds United's initial proposal to take over and invest in Wortley's Wembley has been accepted".
The deal would see Leeds United take charge of the TV Harrison Football ground for the next 250 years for a price of £50,000.
The deal includes a covenant that means the ground can only ever be used for sport and never used for houses.
Over the next six weeks other parties can put their equivalent bid for the ground forward but Leeds United's deal would also see the club invest to make it a better playing facility.
United are expected to comment should all the details of their proposal be finalised at the end of that period.
Man Utd and Leeds to meet in pre-season friendlypublished at 10:40 19 March
10:40 19 March
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United and Leeds United have confirmed they will play each other in their first pre-season fixture before the 2025-26 campaign.
The two sides will meet in Stockholm on Saturday, 19 July at the Strawberry Arena, with kick-off at 14:00 BST.
It was the summer of 2023 when they last played each other, also in a pre-season friendly in Scandinavia, where the Red Devils won 2-0 in Oslo, the capital of Norway.
The Premier League side have history in the Swedish stadium having played the 2017 Europa League final there, winning 2-0 against Ajax to lift the trophy for the first time in the club's history.
🎧 Should Gnonto be Leeds' new number 10?published at 15:51 17 March
15:51 17 March
Media caption,
EP 145: Freshman
Leeds United remain top of the Championship but now only lead second-placed Sheffield United on goal difference.
Saturday's 2-2 draw at QPR could have been worse but for a fightback from 2-0 down with substitute Willy Gnonto key to securing a point.
On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' podcast 'Don't go to bed just yet' the team discuss whether the Italian should be given a more prominent role.
Episode 145: Freshman is available to download now from BBC Sounds.
'Leeds should turn to Gnonto for goals'published at 18:25 16 March
18:25 16 March
Adonis Storr Fan writer
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, Rex Features
I can't remember an exact moment when Leeds fans lost faith in Brenden Aaronson, but we may have seen the moment Daniel Farke did.
Tracking back at Loftus Road on Saturday, Aaronson intercepted Koki Saito's pass, only to inexplicably play a no-look square ball in his own box back to the Japanese international that proved the perfect assist.
The American has been a lightning rod for fans since his first season at the club when United spiralled towards relegation under his compatriot Jesse Marsch.
"It has been frustrating the last two or three games because I haven't been able to see the ball because of the way teams are playing" Aaronson told LUTV before last weekend's fixture.
"I watched a lot of film, I spoke to the coaches a lot, I want to find a way to get back to where I was at my best."
Aaronson's work rate has never been in doubt, and Farke spoke about it in his post-match news conference, when the Leeds manager explained why he did not play Gnonto from the start.
"Because I opted for our two ballers in the double-six role, I thought that we couldn't afford to lose the running and relentless work of Brenden Aaronson in the number 10 position."
Farke emphasised Aaronson's defensive work rate, probably because the American has the same number of goal involvements as Gnonto (10) – despite playing over 1,200 more minutes of football this season.
Aaronson's metrics for pressing and pressures are world class, but pressing can only get you so far, and it seems Leeds must turn to Gnonto for goals.
'A good point on the road'published at 18:34 15 March
18:34 15 March
Image source, Rex Features
Speaking after his side fought back from 2-0 down to draw at QPR, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke said:
"During this period of the season when you have to play the third game in six days and you are 2-0 down after 30 minutes, it's a good point.
"QPR deserved to be in the lead because we were poor in the first 25-30 minutes.
"What was good was the reaction of my team today. Last season we were 2-0 down after 20 minutes [QPR won the game 4-0] but today we fought back.
"Second half we were completely on it, pressed the game, had four or five good situations where we were so, so close in the six-yard box.
"Yes, of course, we wanted to win this game [but] after the story of the game it's a good point on the road."
On Willy Gnonto's performance off the bench: "I was convinced he would make an impact.
"If I had opted for Ilia Gruev [to start the match] I would also have opted for Willy Gnonto. Perhaps we would have had a better start if we had made those changes.
"The feeling is he's playing more and more to create good situations in the centre and that's what he did in the second half."
Can we please have some 3pm kick-offs?published at 18:04 14 March
18:04 14 March
Lewis Deighton Fan writer
On the eve of yet another 400-mile round-trip for a 12.30pm kick-off at QPR, I wonder how many 3pm kick-offs are left for Leeds United this season?
Last Sunday we set off at 4.30am on a 520-mile round-trip to Portsmouth for a 12pm kick-off, to watch a 1-0 loss.
Leeds United's record in pre-3pm kick-offs this season hasn't been great to say the least – winning just two out of 10 (D5, L3).
With Sky Sports moving our home match against Preston North End to 12.30pm for TV, it begs the question whether Swansea's visit to Elland Road will be the last 3pm kick-off we see this season – being the only one not selected from their pool so far.
It also, once again – must be stressed how little the fans are taken into consideration when these decisions are made.
I set off at 5am from Leeds in the morning, which means a 4am start for me at the latest. Some people come from further away, even abroad, and have in some cases already booked travel, plus hotels etc in advance of the rescheduling – rarely reimbursed.
Too much time and money is spent following your team up and down the country for the inconvenience being caused by TV selections – further notice and consideration is a must.
It doesn't help that I'm not at all confident tomorrow – the 4-0 hammering at QPR to practically end our automatic promotion hopes last season replaying in the back of my mind.
Not only have we an awful record in early kick-offs, but an awful one in London and more specifically Loftus Road.
Whatever will be will be – but please can we start kicking off at three?
Pick of the stats: QPR v Leeds Unitedpublished at 11:02 14 March
11:02 14 March
QPR are looking to end a four-game losing streak when they host Championship leaders, Leeds United on Saturday (12:30 GMT)
Three of Leeds' four league defeats this season have come away from Elland Road.
QPR have won five of their past six home league games against Leeds (L1), keeping a clean sheet in each victory. They beat them 4-0 last April despite being 40 points behind them in the league table.
Leeds United beat QPR 2-0 earlier this season and are looking to complete a league double over the Hoops for the first time since 2017-18.
QPR have won seven of their past nine league games at Loftus Road (L2), although they lost 2-1 most recently against Sheffield United. They last suffered consecutive home defeats in October.
Leeds lost 1-0 against Portsmouth at Fratton Park in their last away league game and the Whites haven't suffered consecutive away defeats since December 2023.
Since beating QPR 3-1 in December 2017, Leeds have lost 24 of their 31 league games in London (W4 D3) and nine of the last 10 in the capital.
Farke on Schmidt, Ampadu and reaching 50 winspublished at 18:00 13 March
18:00 13 March
Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, PA Media
It's a swift turnaround for Leeds United as they head to QPR on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 GMT) after Wednesday night's 2-0 victory over Millwall.
Daniel Farke held his pre-match press conference at Thorp Arch and here are the standout lines...
Farke says he has no fresh injury concerns hopes and hopes to have defender Isaac Schmidt back from illness.
Captain Ethan Ampadu is making progress with his recovery from a knee injury. He hopes to have the Wales international back in team training after this month's international break. Patrick Bamford and Max Wober remain sidelined.
On what is the tipping point as to who decides who is fit to play when the medical department, the analysts and the manager are involved. "They (medics) are always worried and give warnings about players in the red zone, but I pick the team. They present data and opinion about recovery status, but it's my responsibility to take the call. If it doesn't work, they can't be blamed."
On the decisions of officials going against his side with Joel Piroe denied a goal against the Lions due to offside. "I've calmed down since yesterday. But if you look how many fouls and penalties should have been given, we are normally on the wrong. So many obvious penalties were stone wall. Overall I like when the referee is careful with showing cards because I like it when we go for it and both teams, as long as its not over the line, are competitive.
"The tackle on Illan Meslier (at Portsmouth by Connor Ogilvie) in the Bundesliga would have been a red card. We want to have the best refs in the world. But I don't complain too much."
Farke says he will not use the free agent market to recruit before the end of the season unless there are extraordinary circumstances. He would rather bring an academy product into the first-team squad.
On being the fastest manager to 50 Championship wins with a single club, he said: "I'm happy with my players and my club. I work for a club where it is a bit easier to reach this. If you have excellent players and staff it is sometimes difficult for the manager to mess it up! All credit to the players."
Flag infuriates Farke as Leeds denied 'perfect goal'published at 15:05 13 March
15:05 13 March
Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Rex Features
It is a reflection of the standards being set at Leeds United that manager Daniel Farke was visibly angry in the wake of a 2-0 victory over Millwall which sent his side back to the top of the Championship.
His ire was not aimed at any of his players but rather the assistant referee who denied them a second goal in the first half by raising his flag for offside.
"I could be relaxed, because it didn't influence the result but it annoys me really," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "Because what has happened in the last weeks against us in terms of decision making is not acceptable."
Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson combined with intricate footwork for the former to score a sumptuous goal.
As Piroe found the net, for what he thought was the 16th time this season, he had not seen the signal to quell his celebration as it was deemed his team-mate had been offside when back-heeling the ball into his path.
With 30 minutes on the clock, and the visitors showing little sign of troubling the host's net, a 2-0 lead would have put the game to bed way before Ao Tanaka's controlled finish five minutes from time.
"Back-to-back games for us and the same assistant gives an offside decision against us which is never offside." Farke went on, referring to a late Willy Gnonto goal in the 2-0 win at Coventry City last month which was incorrectly ruled out by the same assistant.
"To be fair to him, it was tight and more difficult to see than the Coventry game anyhow."
In real time Aaronson appeared onside, on the replay he appeared onside, so without VAR it is understandable why Farke was bemused how the official could feel convinced to immediately raise his flag.
Farke then added, "I say to myself why do we have the rule - if in doubt you give it to the offence anyhow. It was such a great goal.
"My feeling is, more or less, that if you are in doubt then make sure that I'm in the spotlight by waving the flag. This is more or less our new rule."
In the laws of the game there is nothing specifically written to provide an advantage for the attacking team but it's my understanding that assistants are trained that if they are not sure then do not flag.
The official must have been convinced. Just as referee Rob Jones was to not award Dan James a penalty after his legs were taken from under him in the defeat at Portsmouth. VAR would probably have called Jones to the screen and made him see what everybody else already had at Fratton Park.
"I have to calm myself down," said Farke. "But this is one thing that is difficult to accept. You can't blame the referee, he has to rely on the assistant.
"If it happens two times with the same assistant in back-to-back games it is difficult to accept because it can more or less change the outcome of the whole season."
With or without technology, strikers miss chances, goalkeepers drop clangers, officials and managers make bad calls. There is imperfection everywhere in football, its just a shame when it denies the perfect goal.
'We had luck on our side' - Struijkpublished at 10:12 13 March
10:12 13 March
Media caption,
Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk says high energy and "a little bit of luck" helped the side move back to the top of the Championship with a 2-0 win over Millwall.
It was a first win in three matches for the league leaders, who saw their 17 game unbeaten streak ended by Portsmouth on Saturday following a competitive 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the start of the month.
"We wanted to show more energy, especially," Struijk told BBC Radio Leeds.
"I felt like the last game was a little bit flat and there were moments as well in the West Brom game where after we scored, we got a little bit flat."
The Whites led from the third minute when Manor Solomon's cut-back deflected off Millwall defender Jake Cooper and into the net.
Leeds then went onto to seal the win with Ao Tanaka's strike from the edge of the box.
"I'm happy that we got the luck on our side tonight," Struijk added.
"It's been frustrating when you have so many chances like on the weekend and you don't finish them off, so to get this little bit of luck to start us off straightaway, it's always nice."
