Pre Sheffield United match chat- DF press conference page 3

[whiteswan]

I have no issue with Friday games other than it makes the rest of the weekend anti climactic. Don't have any issues with Friday games after an International break either..

Roll on Friday, can't come quick enough

Doesn't it bother you that some of our first team might not be available whereas they would have a better chance of playing on Saturday 3.00 or Sunday? Our Japanese player for example played in Japan last night so he will arrive in UK goodness knows when, jet lagged and likely unfit to play. He's only one example.

[The Subhuman]

Doesn't it bother you that some of our first team might not be available whereas they would have a better chance of playing on Saturday 3.00 or Sunday? Our Japanese player for example played in Japan last night so he will arrive in UK goodness knows when, jet lagged and likely unfit to play. He's only one example.

No because we signed a Japanese player that played for his national team, didn't have to, weren't forced to and we knew before the season started there would be games after international breaks.

[Cjay]

Farke's here - good rest?

Rest is overrated. We have also worked a lot. Good few days off too.



Tuchel

Congratulations to England and Thomas. A top solution. His CV speaks for itself. Won everything in the game with some of the best club sides in the world.


You sound like his agent

It's just being realistic. He knows English football and the English players. A good solution for all parties. Worked closely with Thomas at Dortmund. I know he appreciates this job and will give his very best. He has so much quality. My fingers are crossed for him and creating something special.



The foreign manager debate bother Thomas?

I don't believe too much in this passport debate. Perhaps it has something to do with how much longer I have been here than Thomas. The football cultures are so close together. We would have the same debate in Germany if someone from abroad took over.

It's more the size of the identification with the job. How you create something and how loyal you want to be to your job. I'm sure the FA had good talks with him.



Klopp at Red Bull

Not directly. He was announced for Red Bul. There are a few Red Bull teams, but we are Leeds United. For that, it's clear he has a big impact for those clubs, but for us, not that much, that's for sure because we are Leeds United. None of our fans would allow us to copy something from elsewhere. We are a unique club and unique values and principles. Our own philosophy and way of playing. This is definitely a topic, and this is as far as I know, the 49ers are standing for this. They know how special this club is and don't what to copy anyone see.

Jurgen and I are close. We are close and in touch. First-class human being. We have spoken in the past and I can always call him when I need to. He can now classify those calls as work-related. Sometimes when a manager is in an every day job, you are reluctant to annoy him too much. In this new role, he has more time for these calls. Our relationship won't change that much.



Big game on Friday - difficult prep?

Always tricky with so many players away. Twelve. I spoke about my attitude. Struggling to understand playing on the Friday evening after the break. Players arriving late today. Just at TA for tomorrow. Late last night and early this morning. Playing on Saturday gives you a session, but tomorrow will be recovery session before the game. Go into the game without one proper session. Disappointing and sad because it's a great game.

No complaints. We try to find some good solutions.



Start overall?

Not in analysing mode becaus I am looking to to the next game. STough start. Fixture list. More fluctuation this summer, with many key players leaving. Overall, like you said, a good start. Competitive in every game. Perfect outcomes on the road.

Nearly beat Sunderland. Dominated Portsmouth and Burnley, but didn't get the results. Solid start. Annoying to have so many key players injured. Can just praise the lads. Ampadu, Gruev and Wober out for a bit longer. Good path, but we have to stay awak



Injuries
Good news. Daniel and Manor are since late last week back in team training. Major parts of team training. Wober ahead of schedule. May be back before the next break. Trained with 14 or 15 players today. Need the rest of them to come back, but no new injury news yet. Need to assess them after the travel and their time zones.



Meslier

Last week, we spoke. He is experienced on this level and with many games. He knows he has played a good season so far with many clean sheets. Once-in-a-lifetime situation. It happens. He was the most disappointed player in the dressing room.



Kouyate

I spoke about the situation before. I never confirm names and I will not speak about player not under contract to us or are free agents. Generally, it's a new situation. We are short in numbers. Injuries in midfield left us looking at the free agents and confirm we had a deeper look at guests in the last days here. Most important not to mention names, but to look at profiles.

Holding midfielder we are short. Ethan was the first choice. Ilia would have been back up. We are thin on centre-back too.

We need to add experience and they need to accept when our key men come back they are the first choices. They have to accept they are back-up solutions. They should want to help our young players. We need someone who has that right mentality. This is what we are searching for. Carefully optimistic we will add someone in the next days or weeks (way to sell it Daniel)



Baldock

Our thoughts are with his family. We have some players who have played with him and it hit them. Football is not important in this moment.

We have to respect people in the best way. Difficult to speak abut football, but yes, you have to get on with it. Death is part of life. Life goes on. A special atmosphere and there needs to be discussions and rivalry. Why we love this game in local derbies.

I expect a good atmosphere against one of the best teams in this league. Expect a difficult game. We need a complex performance



When do you decide a free agent is not worth doing?

It won't last more weeks. Will not be end of November. It would be quickly, if at all. Perhaps candidates are already working on their fitness level behind closed doors. We do our homework. Will just be there when a deal would make sense. We spoke about October challenges. Unique case for us. Don't have to be too strict. Due to the injuries, we have to be professional and check it. We don't need just a good footballer, we need the player is convinced of their challenge and role here. Has to be a sensitive deal. Cannot spend a fortune on such a deal. A few boxes have to be ticked. Not too far from a decision. We want to lead this club in a sustainable way. In the next two weeks or not at all.

[The Subhuman]

IIRC, an "overseas" manager has never won the Euros...

[Barlow Boy]

Spending most of this presser talking about Tuchel

[Barlow Boy]

Have to say though, Farke looks very refreshed.

[1964white]

No because we signed a Japanese player that played for his national team, didn't have to, weren't forced to and we knew before the season started there would be games after international breaks.

There should be no Friday night games or 12.30 Saturday kick-offs after the international weeks, makes no sense whatsoever.

I doubt they'll be any PL games.

It's unfair & unreasonable.

Just another SKY money racket.

[1964white]

IIRC, an "overseas" manager has never won the Euros...

There is only one England manager who has won the World Cup in the history of English football.

None have won the Euros.

As I mentioned earlier, not a lot is English any more!

[Finnatic]

Spending most of this presser talking about Tuchel

Those were the questions put to him, tbf, so it’s courteous to answer them.
It’s the fault of of the reporter for not asking Leeds related questions.

[whiteswan]

Spending most of this presser talking about Tuchel

He can only answer the questions he is asked Kev...

[Barlow Boy]

Sorry, I meant the reporters, not Farke.

If I wanted the England presser I’d have watched SKY.

[whiteswan]

No because we signed a Japanese player that played for his national team, didn't have to, weren't forced to and we knew before the season started there would be games after international breaks.

I do get that, but my point was more about SKY being allowed to move games to Fridays after internationals. 12 players away according to Farke. Saturday aft or Sunday wouid be of benefit not just to clubs but the welfare of the players.

[Jammy 07]

Not sure 07. EFL have made a deal with Sky so that they can arrange games for TV viewing. I think their hands are tied until the next contract renewal. If it were possible then the Champions clubs should be lobbying the EFL.

You might be right on the contractual situation as the EFL won't allow anyone to see the contract, not even the clubs or their owners. However it would be mightily neglectful to not include a clause about potential rule changes being accepted by broadcasters mid contract as long as it doesn't effect the number of games agreed upon.

[The Subhuman]

I do get that, but my point was more about SKY being allowed to move games to Fridays after internationals. 12 players away according to Farke. Saturday aft or Sunday wouid be of benefit not just to clubs but the welfare of the players.

It is what it is, we lost a league title in the early 70's due to fixtures getting played too close together so this isn't a new thing really.. What you do is prepare properly and I've been saying since August that we didn't

Now that doesn't mean I'm saying we'll fail this season, we should still win the division, but we haven't given ourselves the best chance to win the division we could have...

[whiteswan]

It is what it is, we lost a league title in the early 70's due to fixtures getting played too close together so this isn't a new thing really.. What you do is prepare properly and I've been saying since August that we didn't

Now that doesn't mean I'm saying we'll fail this season, we should still win the division, but we haven't given ourselves the best chance to win the division we could have...

I remember. Wasn't it v Wolves on the Monday after the Cup Final? I think Derby county won the title whilst on holiday but I could be wrong.

You're not wrong about us failing to prepare.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Sorry, I meant the reporters, not Farke.

If I wanted the England presser I’d have watched SKY.

If there's something of national interest, every manager at every press conference will be asked the same question

That way Sky, and anyone else, can compile those quotes into the big story of the day - which is not Leeds at Sheff United

[1964white]

I remember. Wasn't it v Wolves on the Monday after the Cup Final? I think Derby county won the title whilst on holiday but I could be wrong.

You're not wrong about us failing to prepare.

Yes, Swannie.

An absolute joke of a decision.

The authorities were happy though.

[Jammy 07]

Great news that Dan James & Solomon are fit to return as it gives us real options for those front four positions.

Roll on Friday as can’t wait now.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Great news that Dan James & Solomon are fit to return as it gives us real options for those front four positions.

Roll on Friday as can’t wait now.

Would be nice if one of them could play as a defensive midfielder

[YorkshireSquare]

Would be nice if one of them could play as a defensive midfielder

Isaac Schmidt has played there on occasion apparently, wonder if we might see him get a few minutes in there