DF pre-Cardiff presser

DF’s pre-Cardiff presser leaves a lot to be desired if you’re a fan of well thought-out, reasoned arguments. However, if you’re a fan of ranting gibberish, fill yer boots:

https://video.leedsunited.com/video/dm9kJTdDMF9yd2RqaGV3dCU3QyUyRnBhZ2UlM0ZzbHVnJTNEaG9tZSU3Q2hvbWUlMkZsaXN0JTJGMCUyRmZlZWQ%3D

Popey, rather more sympathetically than I, picks out the salient points (he does well):

Leeds United travel to bottom side Cardiff City on Saturday for a rare 15:00 BST kick-off.

It will be the Whites' first chance to recover after the first league defeat of the season last weekend against Burnley where manager Daniel Farke felt his side had performed well.

He has been speaking ahead of the trip to South Wales where he will still be without Wales international Dan James:

Winger Manor Solomon is the major injury doubt with a back problem. Defender Joe Rodon has missed two training sessions due to a glute issue and Junior Firpo has been struggling with a ligament problem while Joe Rothwell has rolled his ankle. However, Farke expects the trio and striker Patrick Bamford to be available and centre-back Max Wober is training again.

On whether he feels additional tension at this current time: "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. After one bad result, everyone panics. It's not a bad thing - just everyone cares so much and is passionate about this club."

He is not pandering to calls for a more adventurous midfield: "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. We tried to be more offensive in the cup and it did not work out. When I judge the past four games, we have conceded one goal after a slip from Manor.

He pays little attention to suggestions Leeds should win because Cardiff are struggling: "I’d rather play against a team that’s won the game before. After a loss, when you have a normal week, everyone turns every stone searching for solutions. I’m pretty sure this has happened at Cardiff."

Similarly, he feels the Bluebirds squad is equipped to turn their situation around: "Cardiff has a really good group. I look at their teamsheet: Callum Robinson, Yakou Meite, so many experienced players in the centre of the park... I think they have a team to finish in the top half. They have all the ingredients. "

If anything, Farke believes Leeds need to even more focused if they are to be successful: "We have to be more aware. I’m fully aware of the quality of the players. We have to be even more switched on."

Seriously (and this final comment is from me) - I do hope that DF is able to deliver us to the promised land. It’ll be a win-all-’round if that happens👍