Marching On Together Leeds United Podcast: Promotion, key players & finally a home draw!
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00:00 I believe we are into 2024 with Leeds United. If we look first at the championship, there's 20 games left.
00:06 We're just over halfway through the season. Automatic promotion is, it's going to be tricky,
00:12 let's be honest. Leicester and Ipswich really running away with it at the moment and Southampton in third also challenging
00:17 really toughly as well. And so given that,
00:20 where do Leeds fit into this promotion race? Can they challenge the top two or
00:26 have Southampton got the upper hand at the moment in doing that? And is it a more realistic chance that they'll be destined for the playoffs?
00:33 I don't know. I think a lot of fans are probably already braced for the playoffs,
00:38 is probably a good way to put it. But it's certainly far from impossible that they could yet finish in the top two and get automatic promotion.
00:43 It's definitely doable.
00:45 What you would say is that if Leeds are going to do it, then their away form's got to improve. It's as simple as that.
00:50 Obviously, they've been sensational at home, like, you know, just winning practically every week.
00:53 You know, an amazing record at Elland Road at the moment, which is, you know, really sort of like spurring them on and
00:58 keeping them very much in the race, really, because on the away form, yes,
01:01 they've had some very good results, obviously away at Ipswich and away at Leicester.
01:04 I mean, two of the hardest places to go to and winning, but, you know, letting themselves down with defeats at places like Preston and West Brom.
01:10 OK, West Brom are a very good side, Birmingham earlier in the season, you know, there's been Stoke as well.
01:15 I remember the game at Stoke when we all went there expecting to win.
01:17 So the away form's got to improve. And obviously somewhere along the lines,
01:20 the other teams have also got to slip up, obviously, because of the way, because of the, you know, how big the gap is.
01:25 What you would say is we've talked about this quite a lot on these shows, and I've always been very mindful of Southampton.
01:31 Leeds have always been above them just about, but they've been creeping, creeping up on them.
01:34 And they're on a stunning run.
01:35 I mean, 19 games unbeaten in the League and Cup is an absolutely phenomenal run for Southampton.
01:39 I mean, people talk about Leicester's record points total and stuff, and they look away and gone, to be honest.
01:43 But, you know, Southampton have to be applauded for that.
01:45 And if they keep that up, then they're going to take some catching from Leeds' point of view.
01:50 Never mind Ipswich, and obviously the four behind Southampton and seven behind Ipswich.
01:54 I think, obviously, the million-dollar question with Ipswich is about their, you know,
01:58 A, they haven't been here before recently, and also the squad strength, you know, and squad strength and depth.
02:04 But, you know, they've got to applaud them.
02:05 They've been brilliant under Kieran McKenna, who's a very, very good young manager.
02:08 Obviously, they were blown away at Ellen Road.
02:10 And on that base performance, it didn't really look like a top-two team.
02:13 And I don't know, at the moment, the sort of gut instinct is to think that you're probably talking Leicester and Southampton purely because of Southampton's form.
02:19 And the points that Leicester have got in the bank.
02:21 But Leeds are definitely more than a match for any of those teams on their day.
02:25 We've seen that, obviously, the one at Leicester, the one at Ipswich, you know, hammered Ipswich at Ellen Road.
02:30 Southampton, they play at the end of the season at Ellen Road.
02:32 That's going to be, could potentially be a massive game, that one.
02:35 And obviously, they were really disappointing in the away game at Southampton.
02:37 But I just think it does come down to the away form, really, because, I mean, if they're going to keep on winning at Ellen Road, which I'd probably expect them to do,
02:43 they won't win every single game at Ellen Road, but, you know, they might not be far off that.
02:47 If they're getting points there all the time, but then slipping up, you know, every other week away from home, then they're just going to end up more or less where they are now,
02:53 you know, possibly a bit further behind because the standard is that high with those other teams winning all the time.
02:58 A lot of them have got to play each other as well, obviously.
03:00 So there will be times when they drop points.
03:02 And at the moment, seven points and four points, it's not too bad.
03:05 Obviously, the big thing now, though, is you're no longer just looking at catching Ipswich.
03:09 You've now got to catch Ipswich and Southampton.
03:10 So, yeah, it's going to be tough. Definitely no doubt about that.
03:13 But it's far from impossible.
03:14 I just think the away form is going to be key.
03:16 And obviously, as with all these clubs, Daniel, what happens in the January transfer window, really?
03:20 Speaking of away form, though, Lee, of course, Leeds take a trip to Cardiff to South Wales next.
03:27 Now, what are the chances there and how important is that game?
03:30 You just mentioned in that last answer there about how your away form is perhaps not what the home form is.
03:36 And so is this an ideal opportunity to right some wrongs?
03:39 Yeah, 100 per cent.
03:40 Hit the nail on the head.
03:41 This is like the acid test, really, I suppose, if you like.
03:43 I mean, Daniel Farker was, I wouldn't say defensive about the away form,
03:46 but he was quizzed about it in one of the press conferences over Christmas.
03:50 And he sort of said, highlighted the fact, look, we've won at Ipswich, we've won at Leicester and stuff.
03:54 And that is totally true.
03:55 So they can do it away from home.
03:57 But obviously, the two games over Christmas were very disappointing.
04:00 Preston, I was at the Preston game and Leeds were still very much in it and could easily have gone and won it.
04:05 And obviously, Melies sending off changed it all completely.
04:07 I mean, it's an uphill task after that.
04:08 And the referee wasn't very good either, to say the least.
04:10 West Brom, obviously, a disappointing, but West Brom are a good team who might end up going up themselves.
04:15 I mean, they're not far behind Leeds.
04:16 So, you know, you can't really say they've been terrible away from home, but they've got to improve away from home and get more points away from home.
04:23 And I think especially with the momentum at the moment, you know, it was a disappointing end to the year.
04:27 Bounced back, obviously, with a very good win against Birmingham.
04:30 Admittedly, Birmingham aren't very good at the moment.
04:31 Backed it up, obviously, with the FA Cup win at Peterborough.
04:34 So there's like a bit of momentum starting up again now.
04:36 And yeah, they need to be going really to Cardiff and getting a win.
04:39 And that's no disrespect to Cardiff.
04:40 They're only three points off the playoffs themselves.
04:42 So, you know, in their own right, they're not exactly out of the mix themselves either.
04:46 That said, you know, they've been a bit patchy of late, a bit inconsistent at a back of the feet in the FA Cup.
04:52 They've also got quite a few injuries at the moment.
04:54 We'll wait and see what the exact team news is.
04:55 But it looks like people like Ramsey might be out, possibly Grant, O'Dowd.
04:58 So big players potentially missing.
05:01 And really, like, you know, they haven't got, as I said, haven't got the best home record.
05:05 It's not like a team that's like, you know, towards the top who created a fortress there.
05:08 So, yeah, it's the game.
05:09 Leeds have to be going there and winning, really.
05:11 I think it's as simple as that. Also, an interesting factor is Ipswich actually play on Saturday evening.
05:15 So, you know, if they obviously win, then that will definitely cut the gap to them, which, you know,
05:20 obviously, as the season starts to not draw to a close because there's still 20 games to go.
05:23 But that will have an effect on teams if you're starting to cut the gap back a bit, you know.
05:27 And like, obviously, when you're playing first, it could be an advantage.
05:29 So, yeah, they've got to... This is the time now.
05:31 I mean, obviously, we talk about the gap and it's far from unassailable in terms of how far behind they are.
05:36 But I mean, as each game ticks by, you know, you need to be ticking these points off.
05:40 And, yeah, I think quite simply the away form is in question at the moment and there's no reason.
05:43 Given Leeds' squad as well, yes, they've got a few injuries, but so have Cardiff.
05:46 Given Leeds' squad and quality, they should be going to Cardiff and winning, really, realistically.
05:51 The odds are not massively odds on, but, you know, they should go there and win.
05:54 They haven't had a great record there in previous years, it has to be said, but that was probably a little bit more,
05:59 you know, beforehand, but not quite so much recently.
06:01 So, yeah, you've absolutely nailed it.
06:03 And they need to go there and, you know, answer the away form question and really put the pressure on those teams above them.
06:09 Moving away from the Championship now, if we look at the FA Cup, of course,
06:13 Leeds progressed with a win against Peterborough in the third round.
06:17 And finally, they've got a home draw in the FA Cup, which has been a long time coming, it's fair to say.
06:22 So, with this perhaps change of look, could this be a year for a cup run for Leeds?
06:28 Or is that not as much of a priority as the Leeds campaign?
06:33 Yeah, I don't think people could believe it when Leeds' number 12, Leeds United, came out first out of the hat.
06:37 I think some people falling off the sofas and seats at that one, but it had to happen eventually.
06:41 I mean, 13 consecutive away draws was just absolutely ridiculous.
06:43 I know, obviously, each draw is 50/50 in terms of, you know, you're either home or away.
06:47 But to get that in consecutive 13 times was absolutely staggering.
06:51 And it's a decent draw.
06:52 I mean, obviously, it's no disrespect to Plymouth.
06:54 You know, they've been very, very good this season in terms of coming up from League One.
06:57 Obviously, the aim then would be to stay up.
06:59 And at the moment, it looks like they're going to do that.
07:01 But obviously, Leeds did beat them at Ellen Road not so long ago.
07:04 And I think if you, you know, other than like the sort of like lower ranked teams in terms of like lower league and whatever,
07:08 if you wanted to pick a draw, that's one of the ones you probably would have looked at.
07:11 So, they're at home.
07:12 I mean, in terms of priorities, I mean, look, there's no question about it.
07:15 The priority is to get back in the Premier League, you know, and to get back in the Premier League this season.
07:19 I mean, it's as simple as that, because if they don't go up this season, you're going to have all sorts of potential problems in terms of who they keep hold of and whatnot.
07:25 And obviously, the finances.
07:26 So, going up is obviously the aim, the priority.
07:31 That said, I think Daniel Farker is very respectful of the FA Cup.
07:34 He knows, he's talked already about Leeds' poor recent record in the Cup.
07:38 And his team at Peterborough basically meant business.
07:40 Yeah, there were a few changes, but it was a strong line-up, really.
07:42 And I suspect it will be fairly similar to that.
07:45 I get the sense he's quite a big momentum person, Daniel Farker, as well.
07:48 I've not really won for like chopping and changing and making wide scale changes.
07:52 So, I think they'll continue to play a strong team.
07:55 Obviously, at the moment, you just look at the Plymouth game.
07:57 But realistically, and you never take anything for granted, they should hopefully get through that.
08:00 And then obviously, all of a sudden, you're in the last 16.
08:02 And what you would say with the FA Cup is obviously there's a fair few big teams gone out already, as you'll know.
08:06 I mean, obviously, in terms of Arsenal, have already gone out to Liverpool, Tottenham have got playing Man City.
08:11 I think Villa have got Chelsea, isn't it?
08:14 I think so.
08:15 There's going to be a fair few big Premier League teams falling by the wayside already.
08:19 And if the draw is kind to Leeds, then even though it's not a priority, there's every reason why they could have a decent run,
08:24 like potentially last 16 quarters.
08:26 I mean, I think the finals, like the day before the playoff finals,
08:29 people are already looking at that sort of like a little bit in jest.
08:31 And we won't go quite that far yet.
08:33 But I do think being realistic, like the well-overdue Cup run,
08:37 and really like everything seems to be falling in their favour this year to have one.
08:40 It's not the priority, but they might just end up having one anyway.
08:44 If we look back at the third round and one player in particular, that was Patrick Bamford.
08:48 He scored quite the goal against Peterborough United in the third round.
08:53 An absolute screamer.
08:55 He's coming back into the free a little bit as a first-choice striker for Leeds.
08:59 What does the rest of the season hold for him?
09:01 Well, I think he's a confidence player and I think he's a sort of, you know, a streaky player,
09:06 if you like, once he gets on a good... once he starts banning the goals and they tend to continue going that way.
09:09 On the flip side, when he has a bad run and doesn't score, it can go on for quite some time.
09:14 And his confidence will be absolutely thriving now, obviously, after that.
09:17 I mean, what a goal.
09:18 I mean, I was at home for that game and obviously it wasn't on TV and whatever, there were streams and whatever.
09:23 But to actually see it live as it happened and the tweets started to come through about how good it was.
09:27 It sounds interesting.
09:28 And then, of course, as soon as you saw, I mean, what a goal.
09:30 I mean, there's one angle that Leeds released where you sort of see it from behind the goal,
09:34 you know, actually looking at the goal, if you like, and just an absolutely majestic strike.
09:37 And yeah, he'll be absolutely bouncing after that, obviously.
09:40 And he admitted that basically it was probably the best goal he scored in his career.
09:43 So it's going to be interesting what happens now.
09:45 Obviously, I think in a way, maybe more significant than that goal was the fact that he came into the side for the Birmingham game and played up front
09:52 and that Routier dropped back to play as a number 10, which people have been calling for for some time.
09:57 But I think because Bamford hadn't really been sort of like in brilliant form as such, people have been sort of saying,
10:02 'Well, let's have Routier as a number 10 and Pirro as a number nine.'
10:05 And obviously you've got Bamford as a nine and Routier as a ten against Birmingham, which to all extents and purposes, looked pretty good.
10:11 Routier looked pretty good in the position.
10:13 So I would think that's probably the way it will be at the moment, certainly for this weekend.
10:17 I don't really think you can sort of like shift it about after Bamford's last two performances and a goal like that.
10:22 Routier will obviously come back in the side.
10:23 So I'm wondering whether the answer between now and the end of the season might well be Bamford as a number nine and Routier as a ten.
10:29 And then sort of like Pirro sort of like battling away to try and get back in there as well, which is obviously healthy competition.
10:35 So, yeah, I mean, I wouldn't say people have written Bamford off, but obviously, you know, it hasn't been great for him of late.
10:41 But there's no doubt about his quality, especially in terms of his overall game and centre forward play.
10:46 Like he's a proper number nine, really, you know, like someone who holds up the ball, like makes those runs.
10:51 He's a real number nine, a real striker.
10:53 And the thing that's always been missing for him really is sort of like finishing up the more simple chances, if you like.
10:59 And if he had that, then obviously he'd be an even better player.
11:01 But at the moment, you know, his confidence will be sky high.
11:05 He's, as I say, very, very good in the number nine role, holding the ball up.
11:08 And I mean, it's difficult to say is he first choice striker because obviously there's him and Pirro and there's Routier who can play there as well.
11:15 But at the moment, because he is a natural number nine and because of the form he's in, you'd probably say he is.
11:19 So long may that continue, really.
11:21 And if he finishes the season strongly, then obviously it will only help Leeds' chances of going up.
11:27 Another player in form for Leeds United is Ethan Ampadu as well.
11:31 Is he perhaps becoming one of Leeds' most important players throughout the squad, not just in a goal scoring sense,
11:37 but just his role up and down the pitch in the middle as well?
11:41 Yeah, amazing.
11:42 I mean, you know, we talk about like brilliant signings and, you know, in terms of like not costing the earth.
11:48 And he's right at the top.
11:50 I mean, seven million pounds.
11:51 And from Chelsea, that's staggering when you think about it now.
11:54 And especially when you look at his age, it's quite difficult.
11:56 It's quite easy to forget sort of like when you've watched him play that you think he's probably a bit older, but still only 23.
12:00 I mean, he's only going to get better, really.
12:02 It's quite funny, actually, with Ampadu because I covered the Leeds players' children's hospital visit over Christmas where Ethan Ampadu and Joe Roden both were out.
12:10 And they were getting asked by all the kids questions and stuff.
12:12 And some of the kids were saying to them, how many goals have you both scored?
12:15 And of course, neither of them have scored at all.
12:17 So it was a little bit, I mean, they took it in good spirit and it was all like heart and fun and whatever.
12:21 But actually, we did actually ask Ethan about it afterwards.
12:24 And he sort of said, no, to be honest, like having goals to a game is something that I want to do.
12:27 And, you know, and he's not an attacking midfielder, you know, he's not a number 10, is he?
12:31 He's basically more or less a CDM who can also obviously play centre-back, as we saw at the weekend.
12:35 But it's only going to help him as a player, make him better as a player and help Leeds as a team if he scores goals.
12:40 And obviously, he waits for so long and then he goes and scores two.
12:42 So, brilliant stuff.
12:44 Obviously, while the captain's armband as well.
12:46 He just looks like a natural captain, really.
12:48 You know, I mean, Pascal's done fantastically at the moment when he's coming in instead of Cooper.
12:52 But Pascal's sort of said himself that he's not like a natural leader, if you like, sort of thing in terms of vocal.
12:57 He sort of sets the standard for his performances, if that makes sense.
13:01 But Ampadu, he comes across as a real captain and hopefully he's there for many, many years to come at Leeds.
13:06 I mean, in terms of best player, most important player, yeah, I mean, he'd be right up there, especially because, you know,
13:11 he can play him obviously mainly in midfield, but he can drop back into centre-back.
13:14 He has literally played every minute of every game apart from coming off towards the end of one of the games over Christmas.
13:19 So, that says it all.
13:20 I mean, people will look at Somerville, really, I think, as the sort of, you know, prized asset, if you like,
13:25 in terms of like the goals and assists he gets and also Lutera as well.
13:29 But, I mean, Ampadu is so important and, you know, Leeds have got a gem of a player there.
13:32 And let's hope he gets to score a few more.
13:35 Finally for today, one player who perhaps is not in the headlines for a good reason is Jed Spence.
13:42 We've chatted on these videos before about him coming back into the side and what he could bring to Leeds United,
13:47 but that is all out the window now because he's been sent back to Tottenham and who knows what will happen from that point.
13:53 Yeah.
13:54 Obviously, some are saying he needs replacing, despite the fact that he didn't actually play many games for Leeds.
13:58 But just what was the situation and why has he been sent back and what do Leeds do next?
14:05 Well, I think it was a big surprise, obviously.
14:07 I mean, you know, you're right, he hasn't played many minutes, but basically he's been injured, really.
14:11 I mean, he sort of came on, I think it was at the Huddersfield game towards the end where he had, or Chef Wednesday's game,
14:15 sorry, when he had like eight minutes at the end, he looked absolutely brilliant.
14:17 Then he got injured and I think everybody knows how much of a talent he is.
14:21 Obviously, that injury, you know, held him back.
14:23 But he's been back recently and back in the mix, albeit playing on the other side of the defence,
14:28 because obviously, Archie Bray's more or less been holding down the right back spot.
14:31 But yeah, then obviously news broke that basically, like, he was heading back to Tottenham.
14:34 I don't think anybody really knew what had happened there.
14:36 But to all extents and purposes, Leeds have exercised the option to sort of send him back.
14:40 And obviously, Daniel Farke was asked in massive depth about that at his press conference that followed it.
14:44 And, you know, he was very, very diplomatic in his answer and stuff.
14:47 He didn't really want to sort of, like, slam a player as such.
14:49 But it was quite clear that basically something was untoward there in terms of, he talked about sort of like
14:53 fitting into the group and professionalism and this, that and the other.
14:56 So, for whatever reason, you know, he's no longer here.
14:58 And obviously, like, Leeds have lost a good player.
15:00 But I mean, you know, it has always been a big thing at Leeds in recent years, going back all the way to Bielsa, really,
15:05 in terms of like having to tick every box at Leeds, you know, not just like in terms of football
15:10 but like, you know, work ethic and the group and this, that and the other and stuff, which is important.
15:13 So, yeah, that's it now.
15:15 And you wish him all the best.
15:16 Obviously, if he can sort of unlock everything and get it clicking, then he's a fantastic player.
15:20 He's still young and he could still reach, like, you know, somewhere near the top.
15:23 There's no doubt about that.
15:23 But it won't be at Leeds.
15:25 Obviously, he's gone back and you're quite right.
15:26 Obviously, now the big question is, well, what we're going to do instead?
15:29 So, the natural thought is, well, we'll get somebody else in to replace him.
15:32 But Daniel Farke sort of seems quite relaxed about it.
15:35 He sort of said, you know, we've got lots of options at the moment at full back.
15:37 And I would agree with that.
15:39 They have got lots of options at full back, but that's if everybody's fit.
15:41 And as you know, Daniel, that's not always the case and stuff.
15:44 So, and not only is it a case of everybody fit, you're also looking at players
15:48 in those positions that have got injury records, you know, obviously Sam Byron, junior Firpo, etc.
15:52 So, if everyone stays fit, yeah, then obviously they'll probably be all right.
15:55 But there's all sorts of, like, question marks because obviously Lou Kaling's been linked with Middlesbrough and whatever.
15:59 Will he still be here?
16:01 Byron will hopefully be back soon, but then he's got to stay fit.
16:03 Firpo's got to stay fit and also stay in form.
16:06 And then Shackleton's obviously the other option as well there.
16:09 And then you sort of, like, that's Archie Gray's obviously holding down the right back spot,
16:12 but you'd probably rather see him in midfield.
16:14 So, lots of different things to consider.
16:17 I personally think it would be a good idea to get somebody else in, you know, right back or left back,
16:22 someone who can play both positions, basically.
16:25 But that said, I don't think they won't go in rushing just by bringing someone in for the sake of it.
16:28 There was talk of Conor Roberts at Burnley, but whether that happens, I mean, you know, you can't really see him going from there.
16:33 So, yeah, we'll wait and see what happens with that.
16:35 I certainly think that's what they could do with.
16:37 It does sound like basically that if they're going to do anything, it will be loans.
16:41 I think there's like three loan spaces at Leeds now, so that will probably be the way it goes.
16:45 So, there's no doubt that fullback's the main place to look at.
16:48 The other one really is number 10, which we've been saying when transfer windows come around for like years, really,
16:55 about getting another number 10 at Leeds and pretty much all the way back to Pablo Hernandez,
16:59 you know, who's never really properly, I suppose, been replaced.
17:02 I mean, it's not easy to replace someone like that.
17:04 But, yeah, if there's a number 10, then great.
17:06 Fabio Carvalho is obviously looked at, but he's already moved on now.
17:11 So, probably something that will go right towards the end of the window.
17:13 But the number 10 position does change a bit because obviously if Bamford's going to be in that form and playing as nine
17:18 and Routier starts to really get in the groove at 10, then you might be all right,
17:21 because you've obviously still got Pirro there and there's lots of other attacking players.
17:24 So, they're the two main things.
17:26 But I would say almost just, well, probably more important than both of those things is hold on to what you've got as well, Daniel, to be honest,
17:34 because it's all very well people saying we want this and we want that and hopefully Leeds will strengthen.
17:38 But there's no doubt whatsoever, you can't hide from the fact that big teams are going to be looking at Leeds as players.
17:44 And one player stands out by a mile on that, which is Christ Endsley of Somerville because of his goals and assists.
17:49 Although, to be honest, because of his age, Archie Gray won't be far behind.
17:52 So, they've got to hold on to what they've got.
17:55 Personally, I would say try and hold on to what you've got, get a full back in.
17:58 And then if you can get a number 10 in, ideally, then do it.
18:00 But, yeah, it'll probably go right down to the wire.
18:02 I think you're probably looking at loans if it happens.
18:04 But, yeah, that's where we're at at the minute.
18:05 I was, you know, as I say, surprised with Jed Spence.
18:07 And now I think injuries is really key to Leeds' second half of the season.