Cjay wrote: ↑Thu Sep 19, 2024 12:56 pm
Farke's here - Injuries?
OVerall, we had a few knocks and hits during this week. Rodon missed two sessions due to some hip problems or glute problems. Firpo struggling with MCL. Manor Solomon with some back problems. Rothwell rolled his ankle. A few concerns, but I am carefully optimistic all of them will be available.
Biggest question mark behind Manor with his back problems. Max Wober back in training from today, light session. Wait to see how he reacts tomorrow. Late decision.
Bamford back in since last Tuesday. Cannot be 100 per cent. Last game starting is five months ago. Every day in training is beneficial for him and he is edging closer to get match fit and sharp.
More adventurous in midfield this weekend?
No because the balance has to be right. In football, it's important to be rock solid and at the other end, create chances. If I judge our first five games from balance, it was quite good. Tried more offensive in the cup and it did not work out. We can do this, but in general, when I judge the last four games, we have conceded one goal after a slip from Manor.
We looked at defensive behaviour: rock solid. If I speak with the ball, I can only criticise being effective in using the chances. Far away from over-interpreting stats. Only stat that matters is goals.
When I judge the first five games in total, possession we are best, passing accuracy, quality first, shots against us we are second and shots for we are third, xG against without penalties we are position one. xG from open play we are position two. Normally, we are in the top position in the league with these stats. Why aren't we? Because we are not effective with the chances.
Overall, our balance is not doing too much wrong. We are not effective enough. All of our offensive players are motivated to score goals. We work with many young players and do not criticise them too much. Most expensive players in offence are coming back from injuries. We are playing with many young players and I have to back them with an arm around the shoulder. We have to be more effective with the chances
Feeling tension?
No. I don't feel pressure in these terms because I have followed this club for three decades and always had a soft spot for Leeds. I know more about this club and fell in love with it. Followed the last three decades. It's what we are. After one bad result, everyone panics. It's not a bad thing. No bad intention, just everyone cares so much and passionate about this club.
After every loss, everything is questioned. Even after a draw. I knew this before I came. If I did find this stressful I would be the wrong person in this chair. Drawn first two, two wins, first loss, I spoke about our stats so far, what we have done. The last four games: good clean sheet at West Brom, perfect away result at Sheffield Wednesday, perfect home win against Hull and then Burnley, we dominated possession, had 17 to 7 shots. Three times their xG. Good results against the top teams last season and didn't dominate any of them like we did Burnley.
You cannot concentrate on praying for results. Have to concentrate on is delivering performances and this is how I work with my team. I am not praying for results and drinking beer in the week. We make sure we deliver performances throughout the week. I am not addicted to results, I know I am judged this way, but I am addicted to performances. Last four games: one concession. Good defensive behaviour. Physical: highest sprint distances in the league. Top fit and cannot question mentality.
Final thing is effectiveness. If after one loss I questioned everything, I would be the wrong person for this job. The champions lose seven or eight games every season. You will lose here and there and if a manager panics and changes everything, this is not how you are successful. Do not be a flag in the wind.
Cardiff
It will be a tough game. They will finish in a better positon. They have quality players. They will invest everything. I expect a really difficult game.
Criticism of entertainment?
The style of football is quite normal. When you are attacking with passes and combinations, a good stricture, clear principles, if you do not win, it's where is Plan B.
I never hear the team parking the bus, nobody asks for Plan B. It's always normal. We are happy if we win. It is not like figure skating. You do not get marks for beautiful posture, it is bringing the ball over the line. If you do not win with our style, or City's or Marcelo's, it is called not a proper style and you need to go 4-4-2.
Important we are flexible with our base formation. How we want to create chances, but you will always be judged in the way you bring a result. Manor was excellent in the last game, but everyone is talking about his slip. Mateo, before he played and scored in the Championship, he was being called the new Erling Haaland. After five games, he has not scored many goals and missed a few chances, but everyone calm down. He is working his socks off.
Everyone would speak about Aaronson like Zidane if Willy scores his chance. When he misses this chance, everyone says we need more creativity and have to change things. I know how this business works. I know how the mood is after a game like this when we don't score. I am not annoyed. It does not change anything. Everyone like our football at Norwich, as long as we win, if we don't it becomes boring for the critics.
Bielsa always said plan B was doing plan A better - what was your plan last Saturday?
Important to be flexible. I would not agree with Marcelo on not needing a plan B. On Saturday, it had to do with, always being respectful. Burnley was dropping deeper and deeper. One of the best sides in the league. We had just one day of training in the two weeks before that game and could not work on our offensive game that much. The load and travelling for the internationals, key players for us. Sucked energy out of them.
They began making changes, breaking the rhythm up, time-wasting. We were critical with ourselves. First game after the break and we lacked the energy you need to turn it against a good opponent.
