Stoke City boss makes £38m Leeds United claim after Daniel Farke’s ‘knife between the teeth’ comment

The ex-Preston North End and Norwich City boss spoke to journalists on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Wednesday night’s fixture, conceding that Stoke’s task would be a considerable, but not impossible, one to overcome as they welcome Leeds to the Bet365 Stadium. Neil’s side defeated former employers Sunderland over the weekend, a match in which they were unfancied due to the Black Cats’ lofty position in the Championship table, and vice versa.

Stoke go into Wednesday night’s game against Leeds in 20th place, but are five points clear of Queens Park Rangers in the relegation zone. United, meanwhile, are third after beating Norwich last Saturday and aiming to make it four consecutive league victories in the Potteries.

"They've got good balance and they’ve got two good forwards,” Neil said in his pre-match press conference. “They bought Joel Piroe for more than £10m and I think the other lad [Georginio] Rutter for something like £28m [in January].

"They’ve got Dan James on one wing who’s really quick and you’ve got [Crysencio] Summerville who scored a couple the other day.”

In addition to the names listed by Neil, Leeds are expected to have Italy international Willy Gnonto, Patrick Bamford and AFC Bournemouth loanee Jaidon Anthony at their disposal for the game with Stoke.

“We know the threat that they're going to pose,” Neil added. “It's going to be a tough game but I think if we can try to play as well as we can, being at home is a big advantage.

"If our crowd can be as good as they have been recently – and I know we’ve got big numbers coming again, which is great – then we’re hoping we can win the game.”

Neil’s opposite number Farke was full of adulation for the man he will meet in the Bet365 Stadium’s home dugout on Wednesday night. Farke replaced Neil at Carrow Road in the summer of 2017 where he enjoyed two Championship-winning campaigns with the Canaries and has faced the Scot on a number of occasions, losing just once in six meetings while the pair were in charge at Norwich and Preston, respectively.

"I'm very, very respectful because Alex is an unbelievable, experienced coach in English football and especially on a Championship level,” Farke told reporters. “I like personalities, I like coaches and managers where you can see the handwriting and you can see this in his teams. They play with intensity, aggression, with bravery, they go for it with many crosses, you have to defend second balls really well, they play with fighting spirit, with the knife between the teeth.

"This is what you expect when you play his sides.”

Leeds’ game with Stoke kicks off at 8pm on Wednesday, October 25.