A look at Daniel Farke’s alternatives for today’s battle.
Leeds United will be looking for their fourth successive home win when they face Plymouth Argyle today. The Whites have climbed to third place in the table after a seven-match unbeaten run.
But Daniel Farke does not expect United to have it all their own way when they host the Pilgrims at Elland Road this afternoon, kickoff 3pm. “If you allow them to play, they are a really good football side,” the German official stated. “They play bravely and with courage, and if you let them develop their game, they might become deadly.
“We have to make sure that we perform the basics and do not allow them to develop their game, while also finding some decent choices to create scoring opportunities.
“We know how tough and how tight each and every game is in the Championship and you have to be on it in each and every moment otherwise if you give two per cent less you are in trouble in this league.”
Attacking trio Daniel James, Patrick Bamford, and Joe Gelhardt will all undergo late fitness tests. It’s been early April since winger James and striker Bamford started more than two consecutive games.A series of injury issues have plagued the duo, and Gelhardt has failed to break into Farke’s plans.
Regarding James and Bamford’s injuries, Farke said: “I’ve had moments like this, and it’s challenging because as a player, it’s difficult to stay cool and patient when you’re out with a few injuries and haven’t played many minutes. You want to go for it, but don’t overdo it.
“So we’ll have to be a little more careful. When you have three games in eight days, it’s extremely difficult for a guy like Daniel, who represents Wales. It is never simple, but experience always helps, and we strive to strike a decent balance.
“But we can’t afford to merely rest him because recovery and rest don’t lead to performance improvement. You must train and be well prepared because I really believe that you play as you train.
“You can afford one or two weeks where you might have more time to recover and with a bit of luck you can still deliver good performances but you can’t repeat this with consistency and it’s important to stay fit and stay in training.”
Farke stated that he is “carefully optimistic” that James and Bamford will be fit to play against the struggling Pilgrims. It’s likely that the pair will start on the bench.
Max Wober (knee) has yet to return to action, and Jayden Bogle is serving a one-match suspension after receiving five yellow cards. Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, and Largie Ramazani are all out.
Leeds United team against Plymouth Argyle: Meslier, Darlow, Cairns, Byram, Struijk Rodon, Struijk, Firpo, Schmidt, James, Gnonto, Rothwell, Tanaka, Guilavogui, Crew, Solomon, Aaronson, Piroe, Gelhardt, Joseph, Bamford.
