Daniel Farke pre-Huddersfield press conference every word on Leeds United record chance, Archie Gray noise, Junior Firpo praise and lunchtime kick-off issues
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Farke made five changes to his side for Wednesday night’s FA Cup fifth round clash at Chelsea who ultimately squeezed their way into the quarter-finals as Conor Gallagher’s 90th-minute winner sealed a 3-2 success. But Leeds impressed at Stamford Bridge and now face a quick turnaround for Saturday’s league return in a lunchtime Yorkshire derby at relegation-battling Huddersfield.
After hotfooting it back from Chelsea, Farke held his pre-match press conference at 4pm on Thursday, at which there were injury updates on several Whites men. Farke revealed ahead of Wednesday night’s clash at Chelsea that both Georginio Rutter (hernia) and Ilia Gruev (hip flexor) had suffered setbacks in training, explaining their absences at Stamford Bridge. Jamie Shackleton was also set to start before falling unwell which led to Junior Firpo staying at left back.
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Hide AdPatrick Bamford and Crysencio Summerville were only deemed ready for the bench after being unable to train on Monday whilst Sam Byram was an unused substitute following just two days back in training upon his return from a hamstring injury. Farke also revealed post-match that Joe Gelhardt – who was absent at Chelsea – had suffered a back spasm.
Pascal Struijk, Karl Darlow and longer-term absentee Stuart Dallas are United’s other injuries at present. Here is every word from United’s German boss.
Huddersfield Town v Leeds United: Daniel Farke press conference every word
On derbies and Huddersfield boss André Breitenreiter - what is he going to expect?
"Yes, it's always obviously a bit special. It's a local game and then everyone is even a bit more on it. But Andre is also a pretty experienced coach. He has managed also in several derbies, for example in Germany he was once a coach of Schalke 04. When they play against Borussia Dortmund you are just allowed to speak about your opponent in post postcodes and you can't can't use the name of the opponents. It's quite good. I like this a little bit. And so he's used to play such a big game so I think it's not a big, big advantage. But you have to be on it. So obviously they are on the back of a really good result last weekend. From his one game in charge he has one win, lots of positivity right now since he since he overtook, and they will try to use this momentum as well especially also to play with lots of intensity and energy in such a local game and for that we are fully aware of the situation. We are fully aware that we face a side who will try to play with lots of intensity and are highly motivated against us. But we are also a bit used to it, it's more or less for each and every team the same against us and for that, yes, we need again to find the right answers in order to stay in our successful rhythm."
If you do win it's a club record (ten league wins in a row) - that would be some achievement?
"Yes, I think we are already joint-leaders (with the record). If I am honest, yes, I would take another win, definitely. Not so much for the record books but just in order to stabilise and improve our situation further on. The guys are on an amazing run but we also want to be there in a good position after 46 games and for that each and every point counts and especially in such a game, such a difficult game after hard work yesterday night. It's important that we keep going."
Do you ever get the sense that certain players don't like early kick offs and maybe need a bit more encouragement or motivation or a bit more of a chat from yourself?
"If I'm honest, I don't like early kick-offs as well and I'm also not sure if as a supporter I would like early kick-offs when I have to travel and more or less without breakfast anyhow. I have to be in a pretty competitive mood and that's also always the same so it doesn't start just on 12.30, it's more like when you do the the team talk and the team meeting before in the hotel. It feels like 'okay. you do this straightaway after your first coffee and the players have to eat whatever. It's a strange time - their carbs, their noodles, their rice anyhow at seven/half seven/ eight o'clock - it doesn't feel natural. So it can then also be a bit tricky to be in a competitive mood. But to be honest, meanwhile we are also used to it and also use that. Okay, the early kick off is a bit strange and sometimes also a bit special and once you're there and have pressed the button, then you forget also a bit about the timing and then you're on it. I don't like it if I'm honest and not one player likes it. I also would at least imagine that the supporters don't like it when they have to travel that early. At least it allows you to be a bit earlier back home on the sofa after the game. That's the only positive. But right now we are used to it and for that we make the best out of it."
On Archie Gray after his display at Chelsea, the noise will grow, can he deal with that side of thing at his age?
"Yes, I think so. Because obviously he's still at a young age but he's so open and down to earth and humble and obviously the experience in his family also helps because they all have experienced what he is experiencing right now and that they're not over the moon and that they keep him grounded I think is also quite healthy for him. But he's also such a great guy and always humble and this is quite important because nowadays the hype around young players due to social media, due to mobile phones and pictures and videos everywhere is so big. I think it's much more complicated for young superstars nowadays then it was perhaps in my generation or 10-20 years ago even when you could be a bit like a teenager at times. So right now he has to grow up so quick. It's difficult. But he has the mindset, and also the backgrounds and also the right values in order to handle it and I'm quite confident that we'll find a good way with it."