Monday, December 16, 2024

Farke on Leeds spirit and Luton challenge

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[PA Media]

Leeds United host Luton Town on Wednesday after their 4-3 victory at Swansea City extended their impressive run in the Championship to just one defeat in 11 matches.

BBC Radio Leeds will have build-up to full match commentary from 18:00 GMT, with former United head coach Neil Redfearn, Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke faced the press ahead of the match at Thorp Arch on Monday.

Here are some of his comments:

  • On Manor Solomon, who scored his first goals for the club at Swansea after signing on loan from Spurs, Farke said: “Yesterday, with just over 70 minutes, it was probably his best performance in the shirt and most effective performance for his mood with the two goals.” Farke added “it’s not likely a winger will play all three games over 90 minutes” this week.

  • Farke said “the story of the game made us be a bit careful” at Swansea, with Leeds 3-2 ahead going into the final minutes before finally winning the game in injury time through Wilfried Gnonto after the home side had levelled. “I would have preferred us to press a bit more,” said Farke. “High pressing like before, more pressure on the ball.”

  • Leeds have “great characters” in the group, which helped them across the line in South Wales. “It’s a joy to work with them, it’s not so difficult to lead this group,” said Farke. “We also try not to let the standards drop and aim for the highest targets. We won 90 points last season but we’re not happy because we didn’t finish in the top two. We know right now we’re in a good spell but even after such a game we speak about the things that were not perfect.”

  • On the challenge posed by Luton: “For me they are one of the contenders for the top six. There’s no doubt about this, they played last season in the Premier League. When you are relegated it’s quite often difficult to avoid a hangover in the Championship. Sometimes you have to accept a poor start. They still have lots of quality and physicality in their team. They have a manager who has worked miracles for them.”

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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