Leeds United press conference: Daniel Farke explains latest doubt, rotation and previews Plymouth Argyle
Daniel Farke will be speaking to the press this morning as Leeds United prepare to travel down to Plymouth Argyle for their FA Cup fourth round replay. The manager will be on a high following the club's win over Bristol City on Friday night.
That 1-0 win, courtesy of a Wilfried Gnonto goal, was enough to see the Whites move second in the Championship table momentarily and it ensured they have now won their last five in the league, with a 100 per cent record since the turn of the year. The Whites take a break from the battle for promotion this week, though, as they look to seal a spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
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Hide AdLeeds were held to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road by the Pilgrims in the initial tie and that set up tomorrow night's gruelling journey to Devon, with the winner set to take on either Chelsea or Aston Villa later this month.
Daniel Farke will be providing an injury update, with Dan James and Pascal Struijk among those on the treatment table at present and he may also be asked about the possibility of rotation this week with games starting to come thick and fast once more.
Updates to follow in the blog below.
On Connor Roberts
'First of all he's not eligible to play. But, it's an important signing because we have allowed two natural right-backs to leave and we needed a specialist as Gray and Shackleton come from midfield. It's not a sign we don't trust them. He's experienced at this level, he was in the team of the season last season, he's a really good character and a good age. He's on his way up the hill rather than down. He's desperate to be here and be a part of the group. He needs time to adapt but he was involved in many Premier League games in the last six months. Due to experience and personality I think he will adapt quite quick. We'll take him with us to Plymouth to keep him with the lads and help him adapt in terms of unity and spirit.'
Is there a different feel to these games?
'Yes, it's a different competition, it's more or less do or die, unless you have a replay. Normally after the game you know if you're progressing or you're out. It's a different type of pressure, it's not as big because no one expects us to win the cup. We have the chance to go into the last 16 and then we will keep going. We have to be on it. '
We saw Sheff Utd reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and win promotion, do you see the benefits of a cup run?
'I don't like to speak about distraction and being tired because if you speak about it the players believe it. When we were younger we wanted to play every day and footballers love to play football I don't want to speak about the load. I'm never tired of football games, we love this game.'
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