Every word from Daniel Farke's press conference including injury updates on Pascal Struijk and Sam Byram
and live on Freeview channel 276
Daniel Farke will be in front of the media this lunchtime as Leeds United prepare for Tuesday evening's trip to Swansea City.
Leeds recorded a sixth consecutive league win on Saturday, cruising to a 3-0 victory at home to Rotherham. Crysencio Summerville netted a brilliant second-half brace, following Patrick Bamford's controversial early opener which appeared to go in off his outstretched arm. There was also a Whites debut for Connor Roberts, who arrived on loan from Burnley on deadline day and came off the bench for 15 minutes.
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Hide AdLeeds are the Championship's form team of 2024 but face another tough away trip on Tuesday. Swansea City ended a run of four straight defeats in all competitions by beating promotion-chasing Hull City 1-0 on Saturday. They were well beaten at Elland road back in November, however, with Joel Piroe, Dan James and Georginio Rutter on target in a 3-1 home win.
Piroe and James are two of four Leeds players with links to the Welsh outfit, the former having made the £12million move across to West Yorkshire in the summer. Joe Rodon and new arrival Roberts have also spent time at Swansea and will hope for a successful return to familiar ground.
Farke will be expected to provide injury updates on the Leeds players currently out of action, namely Pascal Struijk and Dan James who have both been out in recent weeks. Struijk has been absent since December 28 while James has missed the past few games - both are thought to have adductor issues. Jamie Shackleton also missed the Rotherham win due to illness.
Leeds were able to make some early changes on Saturday due to the comfortable scoreline but Farke was highly critical of the fixture schedule last week and a Tuesday evening trip to Swansea will not be ideal. The German might be pushed on the matter again this lunchtime.
Follow live updates from Farke's press conference here from 12.15pm.
Swansea city vs Leeds United
Farke on improving efficiency
It's difficult to reproduce the same situation because there aren't 40,000 people screaming during training. It also comes with experience and learning how to handle the pressure on game-day. We have many young players.
Robert Lewandowski in the early stages of his career, he missed so many chances for Borussia Dortmund and everyone said he misses too many. But after that he was probably the best goalscorer in the world, so it comes with experience and hard work on the training pitch. for that, we try to let them be in finishing positions where they feel comfortable and can improve their confidence. but we need to put them in situations where they can finish under pressure - although in recent games the pressure was not great and we couldn't finish.
It's a process and we have to work on it.
Farke on Leeds' form
We always try to be balanced when analysing. We've had a good run with many clean sheets but there are details we can improve in terms of defending. In the other way round, we are creating many chances and have scored several goals but our efficiency in the final third can be improved. We try to be balanced.
We want to use the momentum to improve so we play with confidence. We are just focused on us and maintaining our good form. But we also speak about where we can improve because there is never a perfect game.
Farke on James v Gnotno
[Gnonto] is playing with consistency and end product which is good, but it's also good to have James back because he's been fantastic. We have many games and for that it's good to have another option - and a really good option in Daniel.
Farke on team news
Sadly, Sam Byram has reported some a minor muscle injury after the last game so he will definitely miss this game. I hope it's not too long and just a minor problem. We wait for the scans.
Daniel James back in tram training and available. Jamie Shackleton back in training but will miss the game due to private reasons.
It's not the hamstring that was injured but the other leg. A minor problem. We've got a tight schedule and don't want to risk a bigger injury. Hopeful he's back for the weekend, definitely the game after.
15 minute warning
Farke will be with us shortly, and our very own Graham Smyth is at Thorp Arch to ask the questions.
Stay tuned for live updates.
Super Bowl defeat for 49ers
It’s been a successful start to 2024 for Leeds but the San Francisco 49ers, owned by 49ers enterprises, tasted Super Bowl defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs last night.
Despite her endless presence on the screen, Taylor Swift had no tangible effect on the result but defeat was a tough one for the NFL side now so clearly linked with Leeds.
Let's hope Farke and his men can cheer everyone up tomorrow.
Tuesday's opposition
Swansea have done no favours for Leeds in recent weeks, losing against both Southampton and Leicester. They beat Hull 1-0 on Saturday, however, ending a run of four straight defeats in all competitions.
Their trip to Elland Road in November, like so many before and after, ended in defeat - 3-1, to be precise.
Welcome along
It’s a quick turnaround this week and Daniel Farke will be in front of the media this afternoon, at the slightly earlier time of 12.15pm, ahead of Tuesday evening’s trip to Swansea City.
On the agenda:
Updates on Pascal Struijk and Dan James
Jamie Shackleton’s illness
Swansea City
The hectic fixture schedule
Promotion challenge
Which summer exits are also similar to microwave meals
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