Sheff Utd a great example of what can be achieved in the PL?
It’s very clear the importance of what Sheffield United have done in the past two season, first with promotion and then in the PL. It’s a particular style of play which is well-oiled. They have a very good manager who has been able to ingrain his ideas into his players. The players clearly feel comfortable in the system being imposed. This is one of the virtues of a good manager, someone who is able to ingrain his ideas and make it look comfortable. It’s a practical team, very difficult to face. We feel the game on Sunday is a big challenge for us.
Team news - Hernandez? Changes?
Pablo still has two weeks of recovery before he can return. The team will largely be the same, only possible alternative will be Roberts instead of Rodrigo.
Llorente - what can you tell us about him?
He’s a centre-back who can play either side, on Koch’s side or Pascal and Cooper’s. He has sufficient technique to play in the PL and has the ability to adapt to the physical demands
More additions?
There is likely to be a couple of incorporation into the team, but if they don’t come. We will adapt.
Llorente - three at the back or competition for the others?
It’s not we plan to play with three at the back more often. It’s not to increase competition because Pascal played a very important game at Liverpool. Also, yes, because for example in Koch he is the only right-sided centre-back. If he got injured we would have to get someone young or move Ayling or Phillips out of position. I believe, seeing as we don’t have Berardi and White left, it was necessary to count on two players for this position.
Llorente fit for Sunday?
I don’t have any physical preference compared to any other manager. Especially at centre-back where you run the least. So I think if he needed to play, he could. He was due to play against Real Madrid just before his transfer was agreed. As a result, if he was going to play against Real Madrid then he’s ready for us. It’s true this last week would have been a typical for him. His team-mates will need to adapt to him.
Yorkshire derby - how exciting to play Blades?
All games have something to make them attractive. Particularly games in the PL. In the case of Sheff Utd, which is a derby, they are a very good team who have consolidated themselves. A good opportunity to compare ourselves to them.
Stand-out moment from facing Wilder?
I remember the match away from home. A game in which Clarke took advantage of a mistake from Sheff Utd. This allowed us to score a goal. I always remember from that point Wilder had a clear concept and they were able to carry them out. The way he manages to set up his team awakens a lot of interest in me to learn from him. This thought I expressed in the first season before we faced them. After their very good season in the PL, it shows a team is very well prepared.
Seven goals scored - how pleased they have come from across the team?
In these two games there were two occasions where it was not very common that happens with us. We were very highly efficient in these games and conceded more than we usually do. I had the idea, as the games progress, these two tendencies won’t continue. We hope not to concede as many goals. We also know it’s very hard to maintain such efficiency in front of goal.
What's your response to the games remaining behind closed doors for a long time?
There’s two points we can take from this.
Football without fans is less football. When facing such issues as we are facing right now, football is less important.
Gotts out on loan? Anyone else?
If a good opportunity comes for Gotts to go out on loan we will help to make this happen. If he stays he will be in contention to play. Very valuable player for us. It’s very difficult to affirm what I said as he has played so little in the first team. It is true I have big respect for his ability.
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How is Rodrigo looking in training? Is he bedding in well to a central midfield position with Pablo out
From my point of view, Moreno is a player with very important qualities.
This is very easy to verify if you look at the games he has played for his previous clubs and his national team.
For us he’s a very important player and I think he will show this in a continued manner.
Which positions would you like to strengthen before the window closes?
I prefer to talk about signings if they are made.
When every player arrives in the window, they all say they came to play with you. How does it make you feel that you are such a big factor in their decisions?
I sincerely think that this is not true.
Players luck is natural and how it corresponds, they chose their teams rather than the managers they play for.
In the case of Rodrigo Moreno, when I was at Lazio and maybe at other clubs where I have worked, we tried to sign him and he had better options than the one we were proposing. Logically, he chose other clubs.
So I think when a player comes to Leeds, he comes to Leeds for Leeds.
Douglas - will he stay?
I give you the same answer as I gave you with Gotts, but added to the fact he has played many times for the first team. If he continues with us he will be a very useful player for our project. He’s an impeccable professional. His preparation has been very, very good. He is an integral part of the group here. Just because he hasn’t been part of the 18 in the first two games it doesn’t mean he won’t be useful across the season.
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Cooper to make 200th appearance - quite an achievement - will he start?
In principle, I think he will play and Cooper is a huge part of this club. Referring to the patrimony between him and the institution. Institutions are bigger when they have someone who behaves impeccably as Cooper does.
Sheff Utd - very unusual tactics - any other teams like this before?
It’s very true the way you say Sheff Utd set themselves up unusually, or uncommon, but they’re not the only team who play this way. As a result, there are a lot of team who have looked at their style of play and tried to implement it. To add to that, they are very loyal to their style of play. They are a team very convinced of the way they have to play.
As a football lover does he enjoy the many styles in England?
The English game has a semblance or style linked to their fans. That forces teams not to speculate. It forces teams to go for it more than speculate and wait for their rival. Football is going towards a way the fans would not like. In the world as a whole, speculating or waiting for the opponent is more accepted if you’re winning. Everybody loves to win. It’s a process happening for quite some time where the result matters more than the manner. I am humbly observed the English game is at a crossroads of whether you accept winning without caring or with this impetus the fans put on the teams to go for it and it is important how you win. I’m not criticising a style where you wait for the opponent, what is wrong is not to follow the rules or wait, it’s just another way to play. I always had the idea the public doesn’t like to speculate or go for it, but at the moment I don’t see this as clearly as I used to. In the rest of the leagues it’s very common the fans put the result before the performance. In the English game there is still a dispute between that, not so concrete. In any case, it’s only been two years I have been here. As a result, I can’t say, for sure, what I am saying is a fact.
Even more proud Leeds play exciting football?
I’m not against speculation or playing in a low block. Perhaps I’m not against speculating, just a reference to what’s going on in the game. Maybe I’m not the best person to say this. I don’t even know why I’ve got into this. Always had the idea the English public prefer to look for the victory than wait for it. The search to do something rather than waiting. Just a thought, but I’m not the right person for this.
Bamford at international level?
The one who has to judge this is the coach of the English national team. Always thought I should not be making suggestions to whoever the national coach is.
What's your experience of derbies like Newell's in Roasrio? Compared to Yorkshire derby?
In all the derbies I’ve watched, coached in or analysed, I have never seen the intensity or importance of the game between Newell’s and Rosario.
