Daniel Farke fires strong Leeds United opposition warning with star ‘in good place’ to start
After being defeated to a 2-2 draw against Watford on Friday night, Leeds lost their position atop the Championship and are currently one point behind new leaders Ipswich Town. Although they still have a game in hand, Leicester City is one point behind Farke’s team in third place.
A swift return to action is now anticipated as part of an Easter weekend doubleheader, with a full schedule of Easter Monday games. Leeds will play last on Easter Monday when they welcome Hull City to Elland Road.
The play-offs-chasing Tigers lost 2-0 to Stoke City at home on Friday, but Farke maintains that Hull is among the best teams in the division and gave an explanation of his unhappiness over the Whites’ performance against the Potters.
“I would have preferred a better result for them today because now they want even more to take something from Elland Road on Monday,” declared Farke.
“We can’t choose. They are one of the best sides in this league, after so many games, the table never lies. They have many threats and players with end product, creative players, so it’s difficult to play against them.
“We have to be defensive wise spot on to control this, then also be good in our possession, to bring out strength to this game. So, it will be a complicated task but we want to be on it and win as many points as possible.”
In preparation for Friday’s match against Watford, Farke made three changes to his starting lineup. Junior Firpo was moved to the bench after arriving home very late from his international duties in Peru and having a restless journey. The injured Ilia Gruev and Willy Gnonto were also left out.
Due to the changes, captain Liam Cooper entered the starting lineup to play alongside Joe Rodon at centre back, and Ethan Ampadu moved from centre back to partner Glen Kamara in midfield. Sam Byram started at left back in Firpo’s absence, while Dan James replaced Gnonto out wide.
Gruev is questionable for Monday’s match, while Gnonto will likely miss at least three weeks of action; however, Farke believes Firpo is ready to go right now.
Farke responded, “It’s too early to judge, it depends on what the outcome with Ilia is, also Jamie Shackleton is longer in training and has a few more days after his injury to be an option on fullback position to give freedom to play Archie in the centre,” when asked if Ampadu would play in midfield again if Gruev was sidelined.
“It’s a complicated task and we have to take the ideas into account, also to have to assess how ready Sam Byram is again for Monday, Junior is hopefully in a good place to start perhaps the next game.
“So, everything is connected together. I have to assess how ready Liam is after many minutes in last two days. We have to wait for the outcome and then we will take some late decisions.”
