TWIST AND IN WITH A SHOUT
Farke praying that, in this crazy season, there is one more amazing sting in the tail which ends with Leeds back in the Premier League
LEEDS manager Daniel Farke is banking on the most unpredictable division in English football throwing up a dramatic late twist.
Farke’s side go into their final game of the Championship season against Southampton at Elland Road with automatic promotion out of their own hands.
But the German thinks the pressure on Ipswich to close the deal with the point they need at home against lowly Huddersfield could yet be a factor.
“The experience I have in football is that sometimes on the last game day some crazy things happen. It would also fit a bit this crazy season,” said Farke. “I was also in this situation with Norwich and I know how difficult it was then to bring it over the line.
“Thank God, we had the winning mentality to do so, but it is one thing bringing it close to the line and then another to make the final step, so they still have to prove this.
“You would suggest they have the capability and the strength to do this, but it’s only over when it’s over.
“Everyone says already, ‘Oh congratulations, you’ve done it’. But, not to play psychological games, it’s more or less the first time they have something to lose.
“My experience is these types of games are sometimes the most difficult games. Let’s see what happens.
“A late twist is definitely possible, that’s definitely for sure.” Leeds have stuttered on the run-in (losing 4-0 to QPR, below), have not scored in their past three games, and their attacking options today will be restricted by the absence of the injured Dan James.
But they know they have to find a goal from somewhere to have any chance of taking second spot behind Leicester.
With the final round of games all kicking-off at 12.30pm, it promises to be a day where supporters are looking at their phones as often as the action in front of them. Farke wants to ensure the mood fluctuations inside Elland Road do not impact his players.
“I won’t allow them to have their mobiles on the pitch so that helps a bit. I won’t have mine either,” he added.
“We will be connected with staff members, so I think we will be quite aware. But it’s not like if there’s a certain result at Ipswich we can go for a draw – we have to make sure that we win the game.
“Supporters’ minds can sometimes be more on a different pitch on the last game day – but we can’t influence what happens there.
“The best thing is to play such exciting football they don’t want to miss anything that happens on the pitch and this is what we’ll be trying to do.”