Leeds United

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Plymouth forward Ryan Hardie, Leeds United winger Dan James, Portsmouth wide man Josh Murphy and Norwich City striker Josh Sargent are the four nominees for February's Championship player of the month award.

Hardie only played 101 minutes across three league games for Argyle last month but still netted four goals, scoring twice from the bench late on in the 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion and another double in the 5-1 thrashing of Millwall.

James was in scintillating form for the Whites, scoring three goals and providing four assists in five games in February.

The 27-year-old netted one, set-up two and won a penalty in the 7-0 hammering of Cardiff, scored twice in the 4-0 win at Watford and laid on both goals in the vital 2-1 victory at title rivals Sheffield United.

Murphy provided four assists and scored one goal in five games for Portsmouth as they pulled further clear of the relegation zone in February with a draw and three wins, including a 2-1 victory against QPR in which the winger curled in a wonderful effort.

Sargent was prolific throughout February, scoring five goals in five games for Norwich City to take his overall tally for the league season to 11 in 21 appearances.

"I think it's going to be too much for Junior Firpo in the Premier League - but if there's a role for him to play in a system that allows him to be full on Alioski-esque then maybe."

With Leeds leading the Championship, is there room for the likes of Junior Firpo and Illan Meslier next season should they return to the top flight?

Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix discuss realistic expectations for Leeds, the quizzical struggle at lunchtime and whether boss Daniel Farke deserves his own chant.

Episode 143, called "Center Farkes", of our Leeds United podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' is available to download right now via the BBC Sounds app.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

As reported by the Daily Mail, external, Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear seems like he will be joining Everton at the end of this season.

Kinnear has had a turbulent time at United, and it has always been unclear precisely what decisions he was responsible for.

Other leaders within the club have been assigned the responsibility for many of the major decisions during his tenure.

Leeds peaked at ninth in the Premier League under Kinnear, but it was Marcelo Bielsa who was credited with that rise. And rightly so, Bielsa transformed the mid-table Championship squad he inherited.

And ultimately Victor Orta was credited with the hiring of the Argentinian.

Orta – a larger than life figure – was praised and criticised in equal measure during his time at Leeds. He brought Bielsa to the club, but for every Raphinha-type signing there was a Diego Llorente-type; and of course Jesse Marsch who failed spectacularly, was also Orta's man.

Andrea Radrizzani's imprint on certain decisions could be more easily inferred. Six weeks after Leeds went on a much-criticised, post-season tour of Myanmar, Radrizzani's Eleven Sports signed a global rights deal to broadcast the Myanmar National League.

Perhaps the clearest indication of Kinnear's input were his programme notes and his annual interview with the Square Ball podcast.

The now abandoned programme notes made national news in December 2021 when he branded calls for an independent football regulator as "Maoist".

Some CEOs become synonymous with their brands. Kinnear's strategy of shirking the spotlight seems deliberate, perhaps to avoid the kind of scrutiny that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is currently experiencing.

Perhaps only in Angus' absence will Leeds fans get an appreciation of the impact he had. Clearly Everton see the value of him.

But Kinnear's departure will mark the completion of 49ers Enterprises restructure, as they leave one of the last links to Radrizzani's ownership behind.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Image source, Rex Features

If Leeds United go up as Championship winners this season, as expected, there maybe as few as two sides who Daniel Farke's team will have not beaten - and Tony Mowbray can take comfort that, along with third-placed Burnley, one of them is West Bromwich Albion.

After being held to a dreary 0-0 draw at The Hawthorns by Carlos Corberan's Baggies back in August, Mowbray's men more than matched that by drawing 1-1 at Elland Road, having come from a goal down.

Under Farke, Leeds have never lost a league game in which has side scored first - and he had nothing but praise for the way Albion battled back to draw and also come closest to winning it.

"Sometimes you have to settle for a draw," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.

"We have had to this time against a really good side. West Brom got a foot back into it and you could see it coming.

"Tony Mowbray's sides always go for it. They are always brave and have a lot of quality. We had situations to bury the game but the danger was lurking."

Mowbray himself was satisfied by his side's hardest fought away point of the season. But he also knew how close they had come to an even better result.

"We believe we can win wherever we go," Mowbray told BBC Radio WM. "West Bromwich Albion are a big club.

"We know how good a side they (Leeds) are, but we came to be competitive.

"We possibly gave them a little too much respect early on, but we grew into the game. We could have scored before they did, but we got our rewards in the end."

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds keep cruising and I keep bruising – that away end at Bramall Lane was not for the weak. It's apt that Tanaka's first name is pronounced 'ow' because my shins are so battered that you'd think Farke subbed me on.

"Who better to play next then than seemingly our title contenders in Sheffield United?"

I wrote that last week after our late comeback against Sunderland, and who better indeed. Make that consecutive wins against promotion rivals in dramatic fashion.

I touched last week on the similarities between our comeback against Sunderland and the one against Leicester a year prior – not expecting an even closer parallel just seven days later.

Leicester went ahead in the 15th minute. Blades went ahead in the 14th. We won both games 3-1 having trailed in the 70th minute. We scored two goals inside three minutes after the 79th minute in both. We scored after the 88th minute in both. Coming a year and a day apart, it's almost freaky how alike they are.

Rather like Sunderland, Chris Wilder's side nullified us for a large portion of the game – but through sheer blind hope I was convinced that an equaliser would come out of nowhere and turn the tide.

At 1-1 I'd like to say that I saw us winning it but honestly I just wanted the full-time whistle. Did anyone foresee Ao Tanaka popping up for a header in the 89th minute? I love that man. There were about three seconds where you could hear a pin drop and then so much noise that I could barely hear myself.

People were still picking themselves up off the floor as Joel Piroe struck for the third. A mere minute between the goals and absolute carnage ensued. An elderly gentleman who'd been stood behind me was somehow several rows in front of me once everything calmed down – enough said.

Any suggestion that we are boring to watch is in the past. Too early to say that we're winning the Championship – but we are certainly lighting it up.

Leeds will seek to open an eight-point lead at the top of the Championship, for a few hours at least, when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to Elland Road on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Daniel Farke's side have come from behind to beat Sunderland and Sheffield United late-on in their past two games, to make it five straight league wins and extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to 16 matches.

The inconsistent Baggies remain in fifth despite having won three and lost three in their past seven games and are nine without a win on the road dating back to November.

• Leeds United have lost just one of their past eight league games against West Bromwich Albion (W4 D3), though have failed to score in their last two meetings with the Baggies.

• West Bromwich Albion have won just one of their past 13 away league games against Leeds United (D4 L8), a 3-2 victory in January 2007.

• Leeds have won 13 of their past 14 home league games (D1), with the victories across that time coming via a combined 38-3 scoreline.

• After winning their last league game 2-0 against Oxford United, West Brom will be looking to claim successive victories for the first time since a run of four in August/September.

• Joel Piroe has scored five goals in his past five Championship appearances for Leeds United, although he hasn't scored in either of his games against West Brom for the Whites.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Rex Features

Relentless Leeds United take a 16-game unbeaten Championship run into the Saturday lunchtime visit of West Bromwich Albion.

After the dramatic nature of the two late victories over promotion rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United, a routine win over Tony Mowbray's side would probably be welcome to reduce the heart rate around Elland Road.

• The team news centres on the captain Ethan Ampadu (knee) who Leeds have opted not to send for surgery in the hope he could still play a part this season.

• In terms of back-up in central defence, Farke says he has cover with James Debayo, Josuha Guilavogui and also Sam Byram. Meanhwhile he is hoping right-back Jayden Bogle "does not have to give away a tactical foul" and earn a tenth caution in the next three games as it would rule him out for two matches.

• On Patrick Bamford's recovery from a hamstring injury: "Struggling to give a time frame. At the start of January, I said four to six weeks. He is still feeling something. He is ot back in team training yet and is working desperately to get back."

• Defender Max Wober (knee) is expected back after the international break.

• On West Bromwich Albion: Farke is an admirer of Tony Mowbray who he says sets up to attack and has noticed that since he became Carlos Corberan's permanent replacement, the Baggies have been far more possession-based and adventurous.

• After reports linking CEO Angus Kinnear with a role at Everton: "If you are doing well as a club there's lots of interest. If a club is progressing well, players and staff will get interest. It belongs to this business of doing well. When I was younger, I would be more bothered by this stuff. Not a topic to comment on."

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

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Leeds United have opted not to send captain Ethan Ampadu for surgery on his injured right knee.

The Wales international, 24, missed Monday's top-of-the-table Championship win at Sheffield United on Monday, and was expected to require an operation but boss Daniel Farke has revealed he could still return before the end of the season.

"The cartilage issue is complicated. Surgery would have meant him being out for the season, so we've decided to go the conservative route," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.

"The initial decision is for him not to undergo surgery, so a conservative approach has been adopted. It's hoped he could return in four to six weeks."

Ampadu, who plays both in defence and midfield, has made 21 league appearances for the Championship leaders this season, but missed 12 games earlier in the campaign after injuring his left knee against Coventry City in September.

That injury led to him missing four matches of Wales' autumn Nations League campaign, and he is almost certain to sit out the World Cup qualifiers at home to Kazakhstan on 22 March and in North Macedonia three days later.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

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Who wouldn't want a slice of Leeds United, hey?

Back-to-back heart-stopping victories in not dissimilar fashion to the 2018-19 season when United came from two down at Aston Villa to win 3-2 and then win by the same scoreline, having lost a first-half lead, to Blackburn Rovers with a last minute brace from Kemar Roofe on Boxing Day were worth anyone's money.

If that was prime Marcelo Bielsa then Daniel Farke is in his own prime at Elland Road right now. Coming from behind to beat two promotion rivals in Sunderland and then Sheffield United in the final knockings of crackling atmospheres is why football has us addicted.

When it means more, like a promotion-beckoning moment, then the rush is fierce. Harnessing the ride Leeds United provides makes the club even more attractive, especially to investors.

Quite simply, nobody does it quite like Leeds.

Red Bull have a significant financial interest, but not to the same extent as owners San Francisco 49ers Enterprises, and that, according to club chairman Paraag Marathe, is not an equation he sees flipping.

"That's not contemplated at all," he revealed when asked if the energy drinks giant could takeover when speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit this week. "There is no language to that effect. It's not something we have discussed ever."

That may be so, but the trajectory Leeds are on will only increase the desire for Red Bull and others to have more of this special and unique club on the verge of completing its return to the lucrative trappings of the Premier League.

Now it appears Marathe and the 49ers feel the opportunities for commercial growth, and therefore returns for their investors, is available elsewhere. Scottish giants Rangers are reportedly in their sights.

"I can't really comment on whatever rumours might be out there," Marathe added. "But we are looking at other opportunities. It is doable to replicate the passion [of Leeds].

"What we are looking for is clubs with the right bones, history of success and potential for growth."

With technical director Gretar Steinsson announced recently as being set to join the 49ers Enterprises' executive global football structure, a multi-club football model seems imminent.

Marathe will be delighted to expand the family, adding "absolutely there is enough room in your heart to love all your sports properties, just like there is to love all your children!"

But no two children are the same, with some needing more attention than others... and nobody puts Leeds United in a corner.

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

Leeds United extended their lead at the top of the Championship to five points after another dramatic victory at closest rivals Sheffield United on Monday night.

Daniel Farke was 'up a height', the game was tight and there was a fight on a night to remember for Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix.

Episode 142 called "Trench Coat Parachute" of our Leeds United podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' is available to download right now via the BBC Sounds app!

We asked for your views on Monday's dramatic win at Sheffield United.

Here's what you've had to say...

Neil: This is the best Championship side we've had.

I'm pretty certain, barring unforseen injuries we'll be promoted. Champions? Ask me again in a month. I wouldn't be so bold.

Chris: Why can't we just play the last 20 mins all the time?

Seljuk: The rabbit jumps out of the hat again! Brilliant stuff.

But it's clear that - assuming promotion - we must sign an experienced, reliable goalkeeper if we're to have any chance of surviving the PL.

And a few more battle-hardened PL players for the team's spine.

Jesse Marsch made the mistake of signing all players abroad when he got his first full season at Leeds. The answer is at home.

Rich: It's the team unity, that's impressed me the last 2 weeks.

There's a belief amongst the players. They believe no matter what the game situation they can get a result.

Farke had also showed so great tactical changes in the last few games.

Image source, Rex Features

Junior Firpo says Leeds need to 'stay humble' despite taking a commanding lead at the top of the Championship.

Firpo scored the equaliser and teed-up the second for Ao Tanaka as the Whites came from behind to win at second-placed Sheffield United on Monday night.

The victory took them five points clear of the Blades, with a seven-point cushion in the race for automatic promotion with a dozen games remaining, though the 28-year-old told BBC Radio Leeds "It's not done yet".

He said: "We started a little bit slow, a little sloppy, and conceded the goal, but after 25 minutes we started to play.

"We went into half-time knowing in the last 25 minutes we are the best team, we have to keep going and create chances like we used to do. The second half was much better."

After coming from behind to beat Sunderland in dramatic fashion seven days earlier, Leeds repeated the trick at Bramall Lane to spark wild celebrations.

Firpo said: "There's a big togetherness. It's the best group I've ever been in – everyone is focused, everyone is going in the same direction. You can see the reaction from players and staff – players who play 20 minutes, one minute or don't play at all, everyone is together and we have one clear target and I think this win is massive for that happening.

"Obviously to win at Sheffield United, second in the league, fighting with us to win the league, to go five points clear feels unbelievable.

"There are still a lot of games to play, we have to stay humble, it's not done yet. We want to keep going and win as many games as possible."

Skipper Ethan Ampadu missed the game and is set to undergo surgery on his knee, but led a post-match huddle on the Bramall Lane pitch.

"He's the most important player for the squad, we all know this," Firpo said. "He's such a good leader, a good captain, but it's not just him, it's the whole team, it's not just one leader, it's a team of leaders.

"Sometimes with Leeds people are too negative and thinking the five points is not enough – it's a good distance but we have to keep humble, it's not done yet.

"I have one message (to the fans) – we will go for every game."

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Some players wilt under the weight of the famous white shirt, not Junior Firpo. His Leeds United career has been mired with intermittent bouts of poor form and injury, but he is now enjoying his best spell at the club and proved pivotal again last night against Sheffield United in a man-of-the-match-worthy performance.

His goal - a wonderfully headed equaliser - showed the instincts of a forward, it's clear to see why he plays in attack for his country. A second header teed-up Ao Tanaka to push Leeds into the lead, but it is Junior's constant and consistent work rate on and off the ball that has truly impressed this season.

Firpo seemingly never tires running up and down the wing for the Whites, but the ex-Barcelona man is also running down his contract. A situation which makes seemingly less and less sense the closer Leeds get to promotion.

The 28-year-old is coming into his peak years and at worst would be a fantastic weapon off the bench in the Premier League.

Criticised at times for his defending, he has shown in recent months - at least at Championship level – it is not a problem. Aggressive tackles and blocks, impressive pressing and when out of position he tracks runners relentlessly.

"I think it's the best group I've been in, everyone is moving in the same direction," Firpo told BBC Radio Leeds after the game. "We are a team of leaders."

Since New Year's Day 2024, only Ballon d'Or contender Mo Salah has more assists in the top four tiers of English football than the Dominican Republic international.

If we were waiting for a sign that Junior Firpo deserves a new contract, last night's match-winning display was it.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Image source, Rex Features

Who made the difference for Leeds in the win at Sheffield United?

Can anything stop Daniel Farke's side from going up now?

Have your say by clicking here.

Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport England

Image source, Rex Features

Fans of Leeds United probably have a sense of deja vu today.

On successive Mondays the Whites have faced a Premier League promotion rival, gone a goal down in the first half, levelled with less than 20 minutes to go and then won it with time almost up.

For Sunderland at home last week see Sheffield United away this.

This raucous win moved them five points clear of the Blades at the top of the Championship and seven clear of third-placed Burnley.

There are still 12 games to play and boss Daniel Farke, who like counterpart Chris Wilder refused to call the game a title-decider before the match, said he was not thinking about automatic promotion yet.

The reality is that these games were a test of Leeds' quality, depth and mettle. They have passed with flying colours.

There were times in the opening 25 minutes of this game where, missing skipper Ethan Ampadu and with boss Farke in the stands, they could have buckled and perhaps might have done last season.

Not this time. They gritted their teeth, worked their way back into and then wrestled the game in their favour with a towering header from their left-back Junior Firpo and ultimately won it at a canter as their vanquished hosts left the stadium near-empty other than the jubilant Leeds fans behind the goal come full-time.

Now 16 unbeaten in the league and on 75 points from 34 games, on the evidence of the past two games and indeed the season so far, the title and 100 points are both well within their capability.

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

This week marks a year since Leeds United's dramatic victory against Championship promotion rivals Leciester City – as we trailed 1-0 in the 79th minute and won 3-1.

It felt as though we'd got one foot in the automatic promotion race that night, having played catch-up all season.

How fitting that one year on we should beat yet another promotion rival in dramatic fashion – this time defeating Sunderland with a 95th-minute winner, having this time trailed 1-0 going into the 78th minute.

While there are many parallels between the two games in terms of late drama and sheer euphoria, our comeback against Leicester still seems quite unbelievable to this day.

Not a single person inside Elland Road saw that coming. The comeback against Sunderland, however, is something I, and certainly the people around me, felt would happen – there was just something in the air.

When substitute Joe Rothwell stepped up for a Leeds free-kick as we approached the final 10 minutes, I muttered "come on Pascal" in the hope that Pascal Struijk, another off the bench, would head home the cross for 1-1.

Sure enough he did, and with enough time to go and the atmosphere pumping I think even the Sunderland fans knew what was coming.

"We will win this now," I told my mate as the board went up for five extra minutes, and we even joked about Struijk scoring a brace as the ball went for a corner with less than 60 seconds remaining.

Elland Road was an absolute zoo when it happened – a sea of people piling on top of each other, swinging from the rafters or generally just not knowing what to do with themselves. Poetic justice having so cruelly conceded in the dying seconds away to Sunderland earlier in the season.

Never mind the automatic promotion race, this win feels like one foot in the Premier League – and the stuff of champions. Who better then to play next than seemingly our title contenders in Sheffield United. All eyes on Monday night.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has questioned the sense of his suspension for being cautioned in the dramatic last-gasp victory over Sunderland in midweek.

Substitute Pascal Struijk's 95th-minute winner completed a thrilling comeback win against their Championship promotion rivals at Elland Road.

But Farke was shown a yellow card by referee Stuart Attwell, his third of the season, in the bedlam that followed - which means an automatic one-game ban.

The suspension means the German will miss the mouthwatering game against second-placed Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Monday.

"I overstepped the rules and was outside my coaching zone for six seconds," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds in a thinly veiled dig at the rules.

Farke said he can understand if a player is cautioned for a "nasty, aggressive tackle" or by "trying to create a tactical advantage by a tactical foul". But he questioned the wisdom of punishing someone for celebrating a goal.

Victory over the Blades would take Leeds five points clear at the top of the Championship and, potentially, as many as 10 points clear of third place - but Farke will have to watch the match from the stands.

"My lads are to blame because they just score too many goals," he added. "What should I do?

"Although the fire is burning and I try to channel my fire as much as possible, the lads are so brilliant and score so many goals that there are sometimes moments when I can't channel my emotions.

"If there is a late goal in the 95th minute, then even I want to celebrate.

"I am not a robot. I am just a human being, and sometimes the fire is still burning. If someone thinks I deserve a yellow card, I have to accept it. I will try not to celebrate at all next time.

"I won't ask my lads to score less goals. There are some times when I cannot control my emotions.

"It is difficult to say 'don't celebrate at all', but it is what it is, and we will find solutions."