Lives on the line!
FARKE DEMANDS WHITES GIVE EVERYTHING IN PROMOTION PUSH
LEEDS boss Daniel Farke has told his players to “prepare for the worst” but fans needn’t fear.
The German is merely talking about what underpins his promotion-chasing side’s excellent defensive record. They host Preston in today’s lunchtime Championship showdown bidding to keep a fourth successive clean sheet. If achieved, it would be the second time this campaign – having previously not managed it once since 2019-20. Leeds’ renewed defensive prowess has also proved the backbone of three consecutive 3-0 wins.
Another victory like that today would only increase hope they can earn an immediate return to the Premier League.
The West Yorkshire club have certainly eased jitters after a Boxing Day loss at Preston was followed by defeat at West Brom.
Farke said: “Over the busy Christmas spell there were a few games where we didn’t allow too many chances but with just one or two chances, opponents always managed to score.
“We wanted to reduce that. And for that the focus was in training and altering our mindset. We didn’t give away set-pieces in the last few games and sometimes there wasn’t one corner.
“When we did, we were really on it to defend the situation.
“It is definitely a topic of the mindset or type of mentality that we bring into the squad, that we give our life to defend our own goal because it’s always the base in football.
“It’s not so much what we’ve changed in tactical terms. It’s more like the mentality of our defensive positions, to always expect the worst and prepare for the worst in order to repair the situation.”
Leeds continue trying to chase down the top two.
But having twice helped Norwich to promotion, has Farke seen traits in this side that make him believe they’ll go up?
He said: “No, because success in the past is never a guarantee of success in the future.
“It helps. Experience always helps. But what I like a lot is the quality of my lads, their mindset and also the unity and spirit.
“And for me – especially in this league – unity, spirit, togetherness and to be focused to be on it are sometimes even more important than just individual quality.”
Leeds are unbeaten at home this season but are well aware of Preston’s threat after that 2-1 festive defeat.
Farke said: “They are a brave side.
“I expect they want to be the first to travel away from Elland Road with three points.
“We have to be on it from the first moment.
“It always starts with putting in a shift.”