Leeds United latest - Winless run continues, transfer updates and Ipswich preview
Full version of the Leeds United Q&A
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 So, Lee, just on Leeds, their winless run continues in the Championship West Bromway, a draw there.
00:06 I mean, is this a bit of a worry?
00:08 You know, where are the fans sort of at now with this because they are desperate for that first win?
00:14 Yeah, I think it'd be a worry if you're expecting Leeds, you know, to absolutely storm the league and go up as champions and, you know, run away fashion.
00:20 And I know there were second favourites, you know, when the market was formed for the Championship,
00:24 but that's not going to be, you know, that's pretty always going to be the case with the three teams usually that go down.
00:29 But, you know, it's obviously a turbulent summer in terms of exits and stuff.
00:32 And Daniel Farker said himself as soon as he came in, he said it'd be a bumpy start.
00:36 And he obviously knew what was going to happen in terms of player exits and stuff.
00:39 And so it is going to take time, obviously.
00:41 I think I don't think there's any doubt at all about it that Leeds will be a better side, you know, in the latter stages of the season compared to at the start of it.
00:48 But that said, obviously, two points out of nine, you know, is a disappointing start.
00:53 What I would say, though, is that Leeds looked an awful lot better against West Brom.
00:56 I know, obviously, they're only left with a point, but I mean, it really should have been three.
01:01 And I know should of and would of gets you nowhere really in this game.
01:04 But you can definitely be heartened by the performance.
01:07 It was really worrying leaving the Birmingham game because they didn't offer very much at all.
01:11 It was an awful game, but so much better against West Brom.
01:14 Obviously, their goal, Thomas Assane, I mean, to all extents and purposes, it was handball.
01:18 You know, if it was VAR, it would have been disallowed, but there isn't.
01:21 So, I mean, obviously, if that doesn't go in, it's Leeds get a 1-0 victory.
01:24 And, you know, the stats sort of tell, you know, 16 shots for Leeds and four for West Brom.
01:28 And again, that doesn't win you points.
01:29 But, you know, that looked a lot better.
01:32 And obviously, this was an awful lot of players out, a lot of injuries still, a lot of speculation,
01:36 obviously, about who will stay and who will go, etc., etc.
01:39 So, you know, that definitely felt like a step in the right direction.
01:43 And the other thing with the Championship, of course, is it's a marathon, isn't it?
01:46 You know, 46 games and stuff.
01:47 So you can sort of soon make ground up.
01:49 But, you know, you would say that already, you know, less than nine points out of nine,
01:53 it's switched, like, looking like the surprise package, maybe.
01:55 Southampton have had a decent start and they can't afford to get too far behind, that's for sure.
01:59 And, you know, you'd want to pick up that first win sooner rather than later.
02:02 But, you know, I do think it will come for Leeds as long as they get the right, you know,
02:05 sort of additions in the remaining days of the summer window.
02:08 But, yeah, it's a disappointing start.
02:09 But I don't think there's anything to be sort of too alarmed about,
02:12 albeit, you know, you would have liked something a little bit better.
02:16 And Dan James specifically, his best game for Leeds in a long time, you feel.
02:20 I mean, can he finally produce the goods going forward for them?
02:24 Is that a positive to take from that game?
02:26 Yeah, 100%.
02:27 I mean, I think he was most people's man of the match in that game.
02:29 And I think I'd agree with that, really.
02:31 I mean, it's and, you know, that says a lot about his performance, because despite that,
02:34 he probably missed the best chance of the game when he sort of bundled it wide from close range.
02:38 I mean, that should have been a goal.
02:39 And, you know, that's been him a little bit, really.
02:41 He sort of like gets in good positions and then there's no end product, so to speak.
02:44 But I sort of felt a little bit this summer and even at the start of the season,
02:47 it's felt like it's been coming a little bit with him, you know, like, I mean,
02:50 one of the pre-season friendlies, he scored a great goal, which was disallowed,
02:53 obviously, when Bamford was in front of the keeper.
02:55 And it's just, you know, it has felt like it's coming and stuff.
02:58 And, you know, it's much, much better from him on Friday evening.
03:01 And the thing is with him, you know, he's got a great starter point because of his pace,
03:05 you know, and, you know, his blistering pace will always cause danger.
03:09 You know, that will always be a threat to teams, whatever happens, like playing on shoulders of people,
03:13 getting away down the line and stuff.
03:14 And it's obviously getting those positions, the danger is started,
03:17 then it's about converting that danger into, you know, either into an assist or a goal or whatever.
03:21 I mean, you look at it, he's got 44 games for Leeds and four goals and six assists,
03:25 which, you know, isn't many really for a player who's always playing, you know,
03:28 basically either out wide or, you know, occasionally has gone up front as well.
03:32 But, you know, he's still only 25.
03:34 It's not like he's particularly old.
03:35 He'll still be learning, he'll still be getting better.
03:37 And I think the thing with Dan is obviously when Leeds went down,
03:40 a lot of people probably almost forgotten about him a little bit and thought if he comes back,
03:44 you know, could he be a real asset?
03:45 And I think he can be an asset and 100% let's just hope he, you know, discovers more of an end product.
03:49 I mean, you look at the winger situation at Leeds, it's hard to sort of weigh up
03:53 because basically we don't know who will stay and who will go, obviously.
03:56 By that I'm talking like Sinisterra and Nantes really.
04:00 And obviously we'll have to see what happens with Somerville.
04:02 I suppose he'd probably be kind of about first choice winger when fit,
04:04 but Dan always seems to be in the team, you know,
04:07 and I think that's because, you know, managers and Daniel Farker, especially, you know, like his pace,
04:10 he, as I say, he'll always cause a threat.
04:12 Just feel like maybe with him, sort of like when he gets in those positions,
04:15 it's maybe just take a bit more time, you know, like just to think about what he's actually doing.
04:19 Sometimes just feels a bit rushed and, you know, like constantly dribbling at people
04:22 and just runs into, you know, runs into sort of dead ends, but much, much better on Friday.
04:27 He was denied by an outstanding save, two outstanding, well, two very good saves really,
04:32 you know, and obviously, you know, had a big impact on the game.
04:34 So, yeah, hopefully it's looking good for him and hopefully he can, you know,
04:37 start to find the end product more for Leeds.
04:38 The signs are looking good, I would suggest.
04:41 And Willy Nante, you mentioned him there, handed in his transfer request.
04:44 I mean, what's your take on this?
04:47 Do you keep a sort of bad egg in the batch because it sort of can really disrupt the morale around the camp?
04:54 Or do you just sort of move on?
04:57 Well, it's interesting to see how this will unfold, really.
04:59 But my personal view is that there's not really much point having people at the club who don't want to play.
05:04 I mean, you know, whether that's Willy or come from, you know, his agent or whatever, or, you know, the team will look after him.
05:08 I mean, the bottom line is, is that, you know, he's refused to play for the club, hasn't he?
05:12 That's it, simple as that.
05:13 And that is, you know, that's the core facts, is that basically he was told that he wasn't going to be sold this summer.
05:18 And as a result of that, felt like he was unable to play.
05:20 So you've got someone in the team, they're a very talented player, obviously, but he's basically not playing for the team.
05:24 And that really can't continue.
05:26 I mean, it was interesting that Daniel Farker said that he'd had that at Norwich, but not the same scenario,
05:29 but similar where basically people come out of the team and they sort of worked their way back into his promotion winning side.
05:34 And it kind of like almost hinted like, well, maybe that might happen again with Nantes, you know, but as I said,
05:39 I've said the previous week when fans turn against you, you know, sort of like it's very difficult to go back really.
05:44 And they're going to do, I can understand that because you've got a player that has refused to play for the club.
05:48 So, I mean, I can only see it ending really one way.
05:50 What I would say about Leeds is like, I think they've got to be commended for sort of like digging the heels in, if you like,
05:54 and basically trying to, as Daniel Farker said himself, showing who's in the driver's seat, you know,
05:58 like not just caving in and selling at the first opportunity.
06:01 I think a lot of fans feel like this club has sold players on the cheap over previous years, you know,
06:06 and it seems like the 49ers, you know, won't let that happen.
06:08 Obviously, yes, there's been players gone. Adams, Tyler Adams, you know, an exit relegation, release clause, etc.
06:14 But with Nantes, they are in the driver's seat to a degree.
06:17 But I think, you know, as long as they can just drive up the price a little bit more,
06:19 whoever, obviously, I'll talk about Everton interest, but there will be other clubs too.
06:24 But yeah, I mean, unless there's some sort of like happy resolution to be found, which I can't really see,
06:27 then realistically, it's probably best for all parties if Nantes gets sold, he moves on, Leeds get the cash,
06:32 which they can hopefully reinvest.
06:33 And ultimately, they've got players there who want to go out and play for the shirt.
06:37 Another player departing who has gone now, Tyler Adams, I mean, was an incredible signing
06:43 when you look at his consistency in the Leeds team in that Premier League season.
06:47 Is it a bitter pill to swallow or is he better off gone as well?
06:50 Because, you know, clearly a talented player.
06:54 Yeah, definitely.
06:54 It does feel like a bit more of a bitter pill to swallow that one, because I think when he came in,
06:58 he was so impressive, as you say, Charles, you know, straight away,
07:01 he was one of them just a seamless transition into the team.
07:04 And I think a lot of people genuinely looked at him as like future captain material.
07:07 I think they really did, you know, and I think that probably would have been the case if Leeds would have stayed up.
07:10 But, you know, the brutal reality is, is that relegation changes everything and, you know, people won't like it.
07:16 But under the day, like he's basically decided to leave Leeds for Bournemouth and sort of saying,
07:19 well, why have you gone there for? The bottom line is, it's Bournemouth for a Premier League club.
07:22 And, you know, yes, OK, they might end up fighting relegation again this season.
07:26 It's too early to say, basically, isn't it at the moment?
07:28 But I mean, even if they are fighting relegation or in the lower reaches of the Premier League,
07:32 they still are a Premier League team.
07:33 And that's the brutal reality.
07:35 So I can see why he's gone, really.
07:36 I mean, obviously, you know, there's Chelsea interest as well there.
07:39 But it always felt difficult with Tyler.
07:42 I know Leeds obviously looked to him as one of the main ones they wanted to keep in the Championship,
07:45 understandably so, because he's a very good player.
07:47 But I just always found it very difficult to imagine the USA international captain,
07:51 you know, playing Championship football.
07:52 You know, the USA are a decent side now.
07:54 They go in places as well.
07:55 And I just think, really, there was an air of inevitability about it.
07:58 Obviously, you know, that sort of was made a lot easier with his relegation release clause.
08:02 But, yeah, it does feel like a bad one, a sort of bitter pill to swallow.
08:06 What you would say with that is, and I'm not comparing him by any stretch of the imagination,
08:09 but the emergence of Archie Gray certainly helped Leeds in midfield.
08:12 If he wasn't around, then they really would look very, very light.
08:14 And he's very, very young.
08:15 You don't want to put pressure on him.
08:17 But he's obviously, you know, an immensely talented youngster who's got a huge future.
08:20 And Purdue as well has been a great signing in midfield.
08:22 So at the moment, centre midfield-wise, they look fine.
08:25 I would say, OK, you know, fine, really, when those both fit.
08:27 But you can't just rely on those two.
08:29 And what it does do is that Tyler Adams' departure definitely means they need to bring in another centre midfielder.
08:33 Yes, Jamie Shackleton's there as an option.
08:35 And, you know, there's various others who could probably cover that.
08:37 But, you know, very, very good player, Tyler Adams, you know, and basically needs replacing.
08:42 That's the upshot of it.
08:43 You probably won't get someone as good as him.
08:45 And you sort of wish him all the best.
08:46 But, yeah, I mean, it did, to me anyway, it always felt a little bit inevitable.
08:50 And the bottom line is now he just needs replacing to some degree.
08:54 Yeah. In terms of incomings, what is the club's position now ahead of the remaining days in the summer transfer window?
09:00 Where do they have to look to bring some names in?
09:03 Well, I think priority number one's got to be a striker, really, Charles, I really do.
09:07 And I think, yet again, that was in evidence against West Brom on Friday night.
09:11 I mean, it kind of like felt like Giorgio Neriuta's big chance to shine, obviously, like leading the lads.
09:16 And he's just come back from injury, he should be stressed.
09:17 But, you know, that felt like his big chance to shine in the number nine role.
09:20 And he played all right, you know, in flashes he showed what he could do.
09:23 And so I just don't know whether he's a number nine or whether he'll be able to sort of hold down that role and whether he'll end up being more of, I don't know, a winger or a ten or just someone who might play a little bit all over.
09:34 I don't know. But goals win you games.
09:36 And we've said this so many times.
09:37 The two times Norwich went up under Daniel Farke, Timu Puk, he scored 30 in one season and 26 in the other.
09:44 And that's what Leeds are going to need.
09:45 So they're going to need something similar to that.
09:47 And I just think a striker's, you know, got to be brought in, really.
09:50 And Daniel was asked about it at his pre-match press conference and said, you know, is there enough time to bring all these people in?
09:55 Because he'd said himself, basically, the club needed strength in every single position apart from goalkeeper.
10:01 And obviously, that's an awful lot to do in not a very long time.
10:03 But he said it can be done.
10:06 But I think up front, it's got to be the first protocol Leeds are looking at a striker.
10:09 So we're waiting to see what happens on that.
10:10 Number 10 feels like another one as well.
10:12 You feel like when you're doing the Leeds team and a predicted lineup and stuff, you're always sort of scratching around for number 10.
10:18 You know, there's people who can play there, but there's no one that like screams out at you and thinks, oh, he's definitely the number 10.
10:22 You know, but like maybe Pablo Hernandez was or whatever.
10:24 And, you know, players like that far from growing trees.
10:27 But they feel like the two main things, I'm sure, are areas that Leeds will look at.
10:31 And then the other positions, it's probably more about cover, I would say.
10:35 I mean, obviously, centre midfield's fine if Ampadu and Gray are fit.
10:38 But I mean, obviously, then you're relying on two people.
10:40 And obviously, Gray's very young.
10:41 And now that Adams has gone, I think another centre midfielder is definite.
10:45 Centre back, they're probably all right if everybody's fit.
10:47 But it's like if and when.
10:48 And then the other one, obviously, is the full-back situation.
10:51 I mean, obviously, Leeds went in for Max Aarons.
10:53 We know that. So that shows you that they are looking at that area.
10:55 And to me, that would make perfect sense because he's someone who can play at right back, but also at left back.
11:00 And that's probably, it feels like, what they need because they might be all right.
11:03 But, you know, you need cover.
11:04 We don't need cover.
11:05 You need players that are going to come into the first 11.
11:07 So that's obviously an area they're looking at as well.
11:10 So there's an awful lot to do.
11:11 I feel like they've got a good base, this Leeds.
11:13 There's a good foundation there for a good team.
11:14 But they won't make the most of it unless they get someone else up front or a number 10, I don't think.
11:18 I think they'll just, you know, they'll just swim around mid-table if they don't get someone in to score the goals.
11:23 And to me, I think that's absolutely crucial.
11:25 And Sam Byron, is he looking like the answer at left back in this Leeds side?
11:30 He is at the moment.
11:32 Yeah, definitely.
11:32 I mean, I think, I mean, quite simply with Sam Byron, you know, the only sort of concern, if you like, over the summer about him potentially joining was his injury
11:39 record, obviously.
11:40 And, you know, he's had a horrible time of it and stuff.
11:42 I didn't realise the full extent of it.
11:44 I was doing some reading up on when he was in Norwich City.
11:47 I mean, it was nearly two years he was out after that injury in February 2020, when he didn't even realise how bad it was against Liverpool, I think it was.
11:53 And apparently it was only when he got in the changing rooms afterwards that he realised how bad it was because he couldn't take his boot off because of the pain in his hamstring.
12:00 And he had to have it cut off in the end.
12:01 I mean, that says it all.
12:02 And surgery and operations and whatever.
12:04 So, I mean, obviously, like, you know, it's not just that.
12:06 There's other injuries too in previous years.
12:08 So there is obviously a concern, but he's looked really, really good, I've thought, so far since he's come into the team so far.
12:13 And if he stays fit, I mean, let's keep your fingers crossed, it doesn't seem, you know, any issues at the moment.
12:19 Then, you know, I think, you know, you definitely start him.
12:21 And to me anyway, at the moment, he's first choice left back.
12:24 There are other options.
12:25 Obviously, Leo Helder started the first two games of the season.
12:28 I think he's a talented youngster, but I don't know if he's more of a centre-back.
12:31 Certainly, it's kind of always felt that way to me.
12:33 Junior Firpo's still around, remains to be seen what happens there if he stays, etc.
12:37 And, you know, I suppose, like, he'll probably come into the summer as first choice left back.
12:40 But I think Sam Byron, a fit Sam Byron would usurp him, that's for sure.
12:44 Got to remember with Byron as well, he can play right back as well.
12:46 So there's the option to switch him over as well.
12:48 So, yeah, I think he's been a very, very good signing.
12:49 I mean, it's incredible that he was a free agent, really, and they managed to get him.
12:52 I mean, but that's obviously because of the, you know, the sort of past he's had recently.
12:55 But you keep your fingers crossed for him.
12:57 He looks great. He bonds forward.
12:59 That's what Leeds needs.
13:00 He doesn't shirk tackles or anything.
13:01 It's not like he doesn't feel like he's going into him thinking, oh, I might trigger an injury here.
13:05 Because obviously it was hamstring that he had that was out for so long at Norwich.
13:08 But yeah, he's looked a very, very good signing and, you know, so far so good.
13:12 But I just would, I would think they'd probably still need extra cover or like someone who can play both left back and right back.
13:18 Hence, I looked at Max Ahrens.
13:19 I mean, that would make perfect sense to me.
13:20 Someone, you know, someone like that, which is I'm sure what they'll go for.
13:23 Ipswich away up next for Leeds United.
13:25 I mean, Ipswich have made an incredible start to being promoted three and three.
13:30 They're top of the league.
13:32 They have only conceded one goal.
13:34 I mean, Leeds, however, haven't won yet.
13:37 They're struggling to find the back of the net as well.
13:39 Some consistency as we've discussed.
13:42 What are your thoughts going into this one?
13:43 Because it seems like a very, very tough, tough place to go at the moment as well.
13:47 Yeah, 100%.
13:48 Yeah, I mean, it's incredible really when you think about it that, you know, not so long ago, obviously Leeds was sort of like, you know, under Marcelo,
13:52 obviously, you know, going up to like ninth, tenth in the Premier League and Ipswich were down in League One.
13:56 And all of a sudden, a few years later, here they are meeting in the Championship.
13:59 Ipswich top of the table and Leeds fifth or sixth bottom, you know.
14:01 I mean, it's only after three games, but it's amazing how times change.
14:04 Very, very hard game and just the sort of side that should not be underestimated whatsoever.
14:09 I mean, I think with them, there might be the danger to look at Ipswich and think, well, there's only three games gone, you know, like, I mean, are they really going to be there at the end of the season?
14:15 But, you know, there's been a lot of talk about them this summer.
14:18 I mean, it's incredible.
14:19 Last season they went up, I think it was 101 or 102 goals they scored in going up as League One runners up.
14:23 I mean, that's a serious amount of goals.
14:25 And so far this season, I think they've scored six or something, six goals and they've got six, seven goals and seven different scorers.
14:30 So, you know, the goals come from all angles.
14:32 As you said, they've only conceded one goal as well.
14:34 So, I mean, you know, they're ticking every box out of the scoring goals, they're keeping clean sheets, they're at home, confidence will be high.
14:40 So that's going to be a very, very hard game.
14:42 I mean, normally you wouldn't look at that as like Ipswich v Leeds and think Leeds are going to be big underdogs, but they will be underdogs, really.
14:47 I mean, Ipswich should be favourites.
14:48 I think they are. I think they're about six to five.
14:50 So it's going to be a really hard game for Leeds.
14:52 They'll have to, you know, they'll have to do what they haven't done so far.
14:54 They'll have to be tight at the back.
14:55 They'll have to keep, almost certainly have to keep a clean sheet. They'll have to take the chances.
14:59 You know, they need to do everything, you know, all these boxes need to be ticked for them to go there.
15:02 But in a way, it does feel like a sort of Leeds game.
15:04 They win this, you know, it's one of those ones where, you know, people look at Leeds and think, oh, they've got a decent start to the season on paper, Cardiff at home, and everybody expects them to get three points.
15:12 And obviously, even at Birmingham, it doesn't happen.
15:15 Then all of a sudden, when the boot's on the other foot and they go to Ipswich, where suddenly there's starting to be a bit of expectation, it almost feels a bit Leeds-y.
15:21 This is the sort of game where they go and win.
15:22 I mean, so I wouldn't rule that out whatsoever.
15:24 They've definitely got the players to be able to do it.
15:26 We'll wait and see if there's any more signings or whatever beforehand, or, you know, more injury returns, you know, what the situation squad is looking like.
15:31 But yeah, very, very hard game, not to be underestimated whatsoever.
15:35 However, if all goes according to plan and, you know, Leeds can execute their plan, then I wouldn't rule them out going there and getting a first win of the season.
15:42 And if Leeds are to win that game, could that be a springboard for, you know, more confidence, more success going forward?
15:50 You know, with the transfer saga is hopefully done in the next, you know, coming days as well because of the deadline.
15:56 How do they go on if they do get a positive result at Portman Road?
16:00 Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think that's, I still think there's, you know, decent enough air of positivity about Leeds at the moment because, probably because of the way they played against West Brom.
16:07 I think fans saw that, you know, and they saw that, you know, that actually did play pretty well and probably should have won.
16:13 But obviously, you know, the day that comes when they get their first win back in the Championship, that's going to breed success, isn't it?
16:18 Of course. And obviously, I'll move them up the table and hopefully be a springboard and a platform to bigger and better things.
16:23 I mean, you did look at the start of the season at Leeds and thought the fixtures looked all right for them, really.
16:27 But it's never really that way in the Championship. We all know what it's like.
16:29 Every game can be difficult and stuff.
16:31 But I think if they were to go there and get a win, especially at Ipswich, who are top, OK, it's only three games gone.
16:36 But yeah, that definitely would be a sort of like a bit of a, you know, a bit of a confidence booster.
16:40 And yeah, and then, as you say, before you know it, the transfer window is going to be closed.
16:43 But I mean, it feels like they're really battling on two fronts here at the moment, Leeds, because it feels like to a degree they're playing catch up anyway in the league table because they're only on two points.
16:51 Yes, I know there's only three games gone, but there is that battle.
16:54 I'm trying to still... Daniel said himself, you know, it's going to be a bumpy start, but I still want to get as many points as we can in August.
17:00 Obviously, they've only got two, so they're already playing catch up to a degree.
17:03 But realistically, the more important thing for Leeds is this transfer window.
17:06 You know, it's A) who they're going to keep, but more importantly, really, I think who they're going to get in.
17:09 And they've got to get this right, Charles, really.
17:11 I mean, it's September the 2nd, you know, the close of the window is going to be here before you know it.
17:14 And this really, I think, between now and then affects their whole season in terms of what they get.
17:19 I mean, if they don't get anything in, which I don't think will be the case, I think players will come in, then, you know, I wouldn't be fancying the chances too much at all.
17:25 But if they get it right and get a striker in and get, you know, key positions filled, then there's every chance they can kick on here and, you know, hopefully can soon get Motor in.
17:32 And hopefully a winner at Ipswich will be the launchpad to that.
17:35 [BLANK_AUDIO]