Daniel Wales is joined by the Yorkshire Evening Post's Lee Sobot to discuss all the biggest Leeds United talking points.
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00:00 Lee, it's been a, well, a bit of a crazy couple of weeks for Leeds United.
00:05 Certainly, perhaps in a good way, more than a bad way, given some of the results Leeds have had,
00:10 as well as some of the results teams around them have had. We'll get onto that in a little bit.
00:15 We're going to start though with Willy Nonto. He's had a bit of a resurgence of late, hasn't he?
00:19 He's been playing really quite well in that midfield on the wings.
00:23 And of course, Leeds already have a good player in those departments, in Dan James,
00:28 who of course has always performed well for Leeds United.
00:30 And so, there's a bit of a battle going on there, which I know competition can be healthy,
00:35 but who should Daniel Farker be picking at the moment?
00:39 Yes, it's a good question, but I think at the moment, I don't think you can leave Nonto out of the side.
00:42 And you talk about grabbing your opportunity with both hands, and that's absolutely what he's done.
00:47 It's a funny one with Nonto, really, because, I mean, OK, he hadn't had that many league starts this season,
00:51 but when he had been coming on off the bench and stuff, he hadn't really been excelling.
00:55 He just looked to have gone off the boil quite a bit, really. I think everybody still knows,
00:58 always knew how good a player he was, because you can remember what he did when he first got his chance
01:02 and came into the team and what have you. But basically, he's come in upon being handed a start,
01:07 and he's just really grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
01:09 And he's on absolute fire at the moment, five goals in five games.
01:13 And, I mean, obviously, Pres, Enzio, Somerville and Jorginho, Ruterra there.
01:16 But at the moment, he's looking like the sort of player that's really making things happen.
01:20 And basically, it was a big call from Daniel Farker, really.
01:23 Dan James's injury, obviously, has given him the chance.
01:25 He had the choice, basically, at Bristol City of Jadon Antony or Nonto to start out wide.
01:32 And I think it was a difficult call to make, really.
01:34 Nonto got the nod and obviously scored the goal there.
01:36 And it's amazing what confidence does with players, really, like breeds success.
01:40 And that's evidently been the case with him. I don't think there's any other key to it, really.
01:44 I think it was just a case of needing, A, needing a chance, then getting the confidence up.
01:48 And then you just go from strength to strength like that.
01:50 And, I mean, Dan James, he's always been a solid player.
01:53 Obviously, he's got loaned out.
01:55 And, you know, back now with the team, the issue with him was always end product.
01:59 But you're quite right. This season, certainly, you know, his end product's been there in droves with his goals and assists.
02:04 So, even though Nonto's on very much in form, it is still a very, very tough decision.
02:08 But the way Nonto's good at the moment, I just don't really think you can leave him out.
02:11 And obviously, you know, that's fantastic competition for places when you've got someone like Dan James in such good form on the bench.
02:17 You'll be interested to see what happens with Nonto. Like, obviously, a lot of talk about Leeds looking to extend his contract.
02:22 I mean, obviously, it looked like he was going to be gone in the summer, handed in a transfer request and whatever, but reintegrated back into the team.
02:28 The fact is, his contract's up in 2027 this summer.
02:31 So, you know, it's only three years. It's not an enormous amount. It's a long way away.
02:34 And he's obviously a young player. His value will be going up and up all the time.
02:38 But, yeah, I mean, fantastic news for Leeds that he's hit this form.
02:41 Obviously, it was a long road back, really, with some fans, especially, as you can imagine, refusing to play for the club.
02:47 He sort of said post-match after the most recent game at Plymouth that, you know, he felt he'd been a bit lucky lately in terms of, like, you know, getting the breaks with some of his shots.
02:56 I think some fans thought he was probably lucky to still be at the club.
02:58 And I can see that point of view when you refuse to play for a team and you're handed a transfer request.
03:02 But it's a new chapter now.
03:04 One thing you will say about Daniel Farker is he's excellent at giving players a second chance.
03:08 And giving him a second chance has definitely been rewarded because, I mean, the way he's going, he could be absolutely key, essential to Leeds hopefully going up.
03:17 He's in fine form. It is a difficult choice, even so, between him and James, because you don't suddenly just forget what Dan James has done.
03:23 But at the moment, you know, when players are on form, you keep them in the team.
03:27 And at the moment, I think Nanto's got to start, basically.
03:29 And obviously, Somerville's basically one of the first names on the team sheet.
03:32 So, very, very good selection headache to have, I suppose.
03:37 Certainly so. I mean, obviously, if we look further back in the team, there's not really much of a selection headache when it comes to goalkeeping.
03:45 Yeah.
03:46 Milan Melie is being on an impressive run of late, it's fair to say.
03:49 He's certainly had his moments in a Leeds United shirt, from what I can remember.
03:54 Certainly some good and some bad.
03:56 He's had the odd mistake here and there.
03:58 But the moment, he is doing really quite well.
04:02 And that's vital for Leeds United's promotion push.
04:05 You know, keeping the goals out is just as important in some cases as scoring at the other end.
04:09 And so, yeah, just on Milan Melie, just how impressive has his run of form been?
04:13 Yeah, very much so. I mean, the stats say it all.
04:15 I think it's 15 clean sheets from 31 games, which is a joint best in the division.
04:19 What have you got? Three in a row, four from five.
04:22 And I mean, Daniel Farke has always talked about attacking football and high press and scoring lots of goals.
04:27 But he has always said, ever since he came in at Leeds, like how important a solid defence is and basically the foundation of a clean sheet.
04:33 And that's proven the case now because obviously, yes, Leeds have got a very good goal difference.
04:37 But keeping a clean sheet at the other end is the foundation for success.
04:41 Some of the victories have been by a single goal or 2-0 or whatever.
04:44 And Melie is going from strength to strength.
04:46 You're right, it hasn't been plain sailing for him at Leeds.
04:48 Obviously, he was a massive success story when he came into the team, bearing in mind how much Leeds paid for him.
04:53 Obviously, initially he went up and just, I mean, fingers around that seven million marker is an absolutely fantastic piece of business to get someone in for that fee.
05:01 Obviously, first season back in the Premier League was decent.
05:04 Then Melie, like a lot of players, got caught out really towards, especially when Leeds went down.
05:09 But at the end of the day, there are two things to look at here.
05:11 Number one, he's now playing at a lower level in the Championship, as is the case of all the players that got relegated last season.
05:17 So that obviously makes a difference.
05:18 You're not coming up against the same standard of attackers, so to speak.
05:21 But also, he is still young at 23.
05:23 He's still developing.
05:24 He's still learning.
05:25 Keepers especially can mature a little bit later and stuff in terms of how some stands don't get the best out of them until much later in their career.
05:33 He's a fantastic asset.
05:34 It was interesting that Daniel Farker praised him straight away after the Plymouth win.
05:39 Obviously, the various people excelled, but I noticed that when I saw it myself.
05:43 In a quiet way, it was very, very important.
05:46 There was a bit of a spell when Leeds were only 1-0 up, where Plymouth were bombing a couple of corners into the box and high balls.
05:51 And that's one thing he's had problems with before in terms of possibly flapping at things.
05:55 But he was just solid, you know, and clearing his lines, commanding and just really assured at the back and stuff.
06:01 So, yes, he's just definitely going from strength to strength.
06:03 But it's interesting, actually, to talk about players and Nonto and stuff with his contract, obviously, 2027.
06:08 Melier has actually got one year less.
06:10 And I mean, although obviously goalkeepers in some way don't hit the headlines, obviously, because they're not scoring the goals and whatever.
06:17 There's no doubt that he's just as important.
06:19 So that's obviously something I think that will have to be looked at.
06:21 I'm sure it's being looked at because just as when he first burst into the team, as I say, when he was a huge success story, a lot of big clubs were looking at him.
06:28 And that'll start being the case again now, you know.
06:30 But hopefully, obviously, he's here, he's the United's keeper and he's the number one that will hopefully keep the clean sheets and get them back to the Premier League.
06:37 But, yeah, he's been very, very good of late.
06:39 As you say, there's absolutely no doubt about him being first choice.
06:42 I mean, in terms of selection issues, there's sort of headaches.
06:45 There's headaches all over the pitch, but there's not one in goal.
06:47 I mean, he's absolutely miles ahead as first choice keeper.
06:49 I mean, Christopher Clarsen has done well when he's come into the side.
06:52 Darlow is still out injured, dislocated thumb.
06:54 He's on his way back from that.
06:55 But, you know, Melie is so far clear as first choice keeper.
06:58 And you've got to say he's done well to bounce back as well because I was at the Preston game at Boxing Day when he obviously got sent off, which is probably his most recent sort of, you know, sort of faux pas, if you like.
07:08 But that was a bit daft way to bear in terms of like putting a hand out into an opposition player's face.
07:13 But obviously, Serb is bound and he's come back and, you know, the stats speak for themselves.
07:17 And as I say, three clean sheets in a row, just as Leeds are fantastic going forward.
07:21 They've been very, very solid at the back and he has been a key part of that.
07:24 So long may that continue.
07:25 And the thing is, with him at his age, Daniel, as well, as I say, at 23, he's only going to get better as well.
07:30 It's not like he's at the peak of his powers by any means.
07:32 He'll continue to get much, much better.
07:33 So they've got an outstanding young keeper there, basically.
07:37 Obviously, as you say, Leeds are on a good run of form at the moment and it's coming a good time for Leeds United as well.
07:43 It wins in a row, but at the same time, a lot of the teams around them have been having little setbacks.
07:50 Southampton, I think most notably, have lost a couple of games recently.
07:55 I think that game was against Bristol City last week.
07:58 That was a bit of a shock, which I was watching that game.
08:01 Actually, I did not expect that result from it, but I just thought, well, that's a real boost for Leeds.
08:07 Of course, Leicester are sort of playing sailing and you'd back them all the way to take the championship trophy.
08:13 But it is really that battle for second place and not wanting to finish third.
08:18 And Leeds are in poor position for that at the moment, given Southampton's recent slip and obviously Ipswich as well.
08:23 Their form has sort of teetered around a little bit. It's gone up and it's gone down.
08:26 So, yeah, Leeds are doing what they need to do at the moment and surely for the crowd at Elland Road, that's exactly what they want to see.
08:33 Yeah, definitely. I mean, we'll come to Leicester in a minute and the title race because, I mean, that's not necessarily done yet.
08:39 It depends on what happens this Friday, I think.
08:41 But obviously for Leeds, all that matters is getting the top two.
08:43 And the bottom line is they are now in that position without having to worry about games in hand and teams below them and whatever.
08:49 Saying that, even though Southampton did have a game in hand before their game in midweek, which obviously fell to defeat against Hull City,
08:55 even if they had have won that, it would actually still have been in Leeds' hands by virtue of playing Southampton on the last game of the season.
09:01 In terms of if they won every game, they would have still gone up.
09:04 I suppose the other thing you have to remember is that now Ipswich are level on points with Leeds, but the goal difference is quite a big difference.
09:09 I think it's 14 goals difference. I mean, there's 13 games left, but that's a fair swing, really.
09:14 So it's almost kind of like feels like an extra point. But they are now in second place.
09:18 Yeah. And I mean, the thing I would say with it is obviously this is a huge game this weekend, which we'll come to in a minute.
09:23 And it could very, very quickly turn again if Leeds don't get the victory this weekend, because you would expect both.
09:28 We never know in the Championship, as we've seen this week, but you would expect Southampton and Ipswich to both bounce back.
09:32 So that's why it's important this weekend. But it's very much in Leeds' hands.
09:36 You sort of get the question asked a bit now, are Leeds the best team in the Championship?
09:40 I mean, they're not top of the table. So the first thing to say would be no, because they're not top.
09:43 But on form and the way they're going at the moment, they are. No other team's won eight in a row.
09:47 No other team's playing the way they are.
09:49 You've got to say, looking at the fixtures, they've probably got the best fixtures of the teams remaining.
09:54 I mean, that's notwithstanding the fact they've got to get past the Leicester game this weekend.
09:58 And of course, the one everybody's already looking at is the last game of the season, which is Leeds v Southampton at Elland Road,
10:03 which I mean, I heard it said that could be like a playoff final in itself.
10:07 And you can kind of see that, you know, like if there's like one point, two points in it between the two teams and it's just down to them, too.
10:13 That could be enormous.
10:14 But if they keep going the way they are, they might even sort of like hopefully be almost there by then.
10:19 I mean, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, but they have got a good running and the teams below them have got to play each other.
10:24 Ipswich have got to play Southampton, Ipswich have got to go to Coventry, Ipswich have got to go to Hull.
10:28 So there's three hard ones, Leicester Southampton, Ipswich Southampton and then Leeds Southampton on the last game.
10:33 So they're going to take points off each other as well.
10:36 And we did say a few weeks ago on these shows that all Leeds need to do is just string wins together, you know,
10:41 and like, although it sounds far-fetched, just get five, six, seven, eight wins in a row together.
10:46 And that's difficult to do, obviously, but they've done it, you know, they've done eight in a row.
10:50 We'll wait and see what happens with Leicester.
10:51 But the rest of the fixtures after that, you know, I'm not taking the championship lightly by any means.
10:55 Nobody is. But they've got it within them.
10:57 They've got the squad to be able to do that again, no matter what happens against Leicester, to get another five in a row or six in a row.
11:02 So, yeah, I mean, it's turned very, very quickly.
11:05 And that's because of one eight in a row and other teams have dropped points.
11:08 Daniel Farker always said if they can get two points a game, they'll be there or thereabouts.
11:12 So you're usually there or thereabouts and that's where they are.
11:14 So all credit to them. And, you know, you have to say it's looking good.
11:17 They are actually now favourites to finish second for the first time in a while and odds on as well.
11:22 It's not a surprise because of all the things they've just said.
11:25 And in a way, you could probably argue over who will emerge the bigger threat out of Southampton and Ipswich.
11:30 They're both three to one joint favourites. So there'll be plenty more twists and turns.
11:34 I almost potentially worry about Ipswich more because they obviously brought in a lot of signings in January.
11:40 And Kieran McKenna said himself like it would take time for them to bed in.
11:43 So I do wonder if they will emerge the main threat.
11:46 But obviously, we all know how good Southampton are. You don't go on a club record run like they have.
11:50 So there's an awful long way to go yet.
11:52 You don't take anything for granted, but it's very much in Leeds' hands now.
11:56 They are the team to catch in second.
11:57 And to be honest, above and beyond that, they should even be looking above them to try and catch Leicester.
12:02 And I'm sure that's what will come to next.
12:04 Well, yes, very much so, Lee.
12:06 I mean, obviously, you say that consistency is key and that's what Leeds have had.
12:09 And that's why they're in the position that they're in.
12:11 Yeah. But when it comes to the Championship and the Championship trophy, well, there's a big game at Elland Road on Friday night,
12:21 as you've been alluding to in that last section there. Leeds-Leicester.
12:25 Now, of course, in the reverse fixture, Leeds managed to beat Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
12:31 What was a bit of a turn up at that time, because, of course, Leicester were, you know,
12:35 storming away at that point in the season.
12:37 And then obviously Leeds went there and won, just as they had also done at Portman Road against Ipswich.
12:42 So this being the fixture at Elland Road, you'd fancy Leeds probably, given their current form and especially their home form as well.
12:50 But as you say there, if Leeds were to win, what would that say about the title race?
12:56 And is it possible there could be a switch or Leicester just, even without a win in this game, just a bit too far ahead?
13:03 I mean, you know, you might get a bit far ahead of yourself or whatever and you might end up looking foolish after it.
13:08 But I think if Leeds win this weekend, it's very, very much on at six points, you know,
13:12 and there's still be 12 games left and looking at the run that Leeds are on, the fixtures Leicester have got left,
13:19 they've still got to go to Hull, they've still got to play Southampton, they've still got to play West Brom.
13:23 The two teams, the two squads, I don't think there's an awful lot between them.
13:26 Obviously, as you say, Leeds have already beaten them at the King Power.
13:28 It's funny, Leeds actually won. Leicester have only lost two in a row this season and that was Leeds and Borough.
13:34 And that's obviously what they've got now, Borough and Leeds. So can history repeat itself in a funny sort of way?
13:38 But yeah, if Leeds can get a victory this weekend, it's very, very much on.
13:41 It'll still be very difficult, even if they do, because six points is still a decent gap and a team like Leicester,
13:46 you know, you'd expect whatever happens this weekend and to have a strong finish to the season.
13:50 But there's definitely every chance of it. And that's going to be absolutely cracking game this weekend, obviously.
13:56 I mean, Ellen Road will be absolutely rocking.
13:58 You know, you don't have to, I mean, yes, OK, Leicester just had a setback and stuff and they're not completely infallible.
14:03 But you look at their points total, it's absolutely amazing.
14:05 It's a record points total and you just go through their team, there's threats absolutely everywhere.
14:09 You know, Vardy, Dewsbury Hall, Mabadidi on 10 goals each.
14:12 Dakar, Dewsbury Hall, 12 assists. Fatouhou is going to be key against Junior Firpo.
14:16 You know, there's talented players all over the pitch, but there is at Leeds, you know, as well.
14:21 I mean, you look at it and we just talked about it. You probably have people like Dan James on the bench,
14:25 you know, unless he comes back into the side and it's not just him.
14:28 There's lots of other people that can come in as well.
14:30 You've got people like Conor Roberts waiting in the wings. He's not even had his full debut yet because of Archie Gray's form.
14:34 And, you know, Somerville on fire, Routier, Nonto obviously we've talked about and at least Bamford will still be out, but Pirou as well.
14:41 So, there's just talent all over the pitch and it's a very, very hard one to call.
14:45 But there's every chance Leeds can get it done.
14:47 I mean, I won't say staggered because I think it's when you think about it, it's probably right.
14:51 But Leeds are pretty strong favourites, they're even money favourites.
14:53 So, you know, they're verging on odds on with some firms, which is a big shout really, bearing in mind how good a side Leicester have been.
15:00 But then when you think about it, why wouldn't they be?
15:02 You know, they're at home where they've been like pretty much unbeatable.
15:06 They've won eight games in a row. They're playing good football.
15:09 You know, they've got a settled side. There's a good vibe around the place.
15:11 So, I'm not surprised they're strong favourites really. So, every chance they can get it done.
15:15 And there's every chance if they can get it done that the title race is well and truly on.
15:19 I think if Leicester were to go to Leeds and win, it'd be 12 points.
15:22 So, obviously it's going to be six points, nine points or 12.
15:24 And obviously if they go there and leave with a 12-point margin, then I think the title is basically as good as done.
15:30 I think it probably is, even if it's nine really, because I don't expect them to drop that many points.
15:34 But six and it's very, very much open. And I think there's every chance they can go and do it.
15:39 I mean, they're going to go into it full of confidence, obviously, and it feels like a massacre.
15:43 Also, the thing to say with it is it's obviously changed a lot this weekend with the results we've just had.
15:48 But if Leeds were to draw or even get beat or even draw, it would probably very likely change again.
15:54 Because as I said earlier, you'd expect Southampton have got Millwall this weekend,
15:57 but St Mary's and Ipswich have got Birmingham.
16:00 And you never know in the Championship, but you fully expect both of those two teams to win.
16:04 So, if Leeds were to get beat, they'd probably find themselves back and forth.
16:07 But that said, obviously, there'd still be a lot of games left to go and Leeds to play Southampton in the last game.
16:12 So, it's not all on this game in terms of promotion, far from it.
16:15 I think the title was done about all on this game.
16:18 But I think if we're going to have a conversation about Leeds being in a title race,
16:21 then it does hinge on this game and them needing to get three points.
16:24 And I, for one, fully fancy them to do it. I think it'd be very, very difficult.
16:28 But, you know, seeing how well Leeds are playing, know what the atmosphere at Ellen Road is like,
16:32 and it's questions about Leicester, will they bounce back?
16:34 So, you know, why can't Leeds do it? They've definitely got the team to do it.
16:36 They've done it once, so go and do it again.
16:39 And finally, we'll look at the FA Cup now, obviously.
16:43 Given what we've just mentioned there about Leeds and Leicester,
16:46 that game will, of course, take priority for Leeds United in the next seven days.
16:52 But then, of course, they have a midweek trip to Stamford Bridge in the days after the Leicester game.
16:58 And so, that's important because, of course, Cup football is sort of Leeds' last attempted major trophy this season.
17:05 And, of course, every club wanted that day out at Wembley.
17:09 Chelsea is a tough place to go.
17:11 They are improving at the moment in the Premier League, and obviously going away there is no easy game whatsoever.
17:18 And so, bearing that in mind and bearing in mind as well what we've just mentioned with the implications of the Leeds-Leicester game,
17:25 will Daniel Farke be seeing this as a second priority, given what's ahead of him first?
17:31 It's a fascinating one, this.
17:33 It almost feels like Leeds are having a cup run in a way when they almost least need one, if that makes sense.
17:39 Because they're hopefully on the verge of… well, they are challenging for promotion.
17:42 They're hopefully in a season where they're going to go back up, which is quite obviously the priority a million times over.
17:48 And Daniel Farke is always very, very respectful in everything, really, including of the FA Cup.
17:55 And he's not the sort of manager I don't think who's going to come out and say, 'Look, it takes second precedence' or whatever and stuff.
18:00 And to be fair, in every game so far in this FA Cup, he has always said, 'I'll make sure I feel the strong side'.
18:06 And he has. He's always made changes, five, six or seven changes, but it's never been wide scale and stuff.
18:10 And there's always been a mix of players who've been on the bench and first-teamers.
18:13 But it's going to be interesting to see what he does with this one, purely because of not just the situation they're in,
18:19 but the games that are coming up after that.
18:21 Because they've got three more Leeds games, crucial Leeds games, coming up thick and fast straight after Stamford Bridge away.
18:26 You've got Huddersfield three days later, Stoke at Ellen Road on the Tuesday and Sheffield Wednesday away on the Friday night.
18:32 I mean, they're three massive games against teams, obviously, up towards the higher echelons of the division.
18:37 But they're games where Leeds are going to probably need nine points to keep in the situation they're in and to keep in pole position, if you like.
18:43 So, they've got to be the focus. So, I mean, what does that mean for the Chelsea game?
18:49 It was interesting, I asked Daniel Farke about his team selection at his press conference the other week.
18:53 And he sort of said, "I've basically only got 20 players to pick from, really, at the moment. He's got a few injuries."
18:59 So, I don't think whatever he does, there's going to be massive 10 or 11 changes.
19:03 And I think it's going to be something along the lines of pretty much a balance between what we've seen in other games.
19:07 But I think even so, the fat Leeds want a cup run. There's going to have to be a lot of changes in this.
19:13 And you've got to look at people like Creswell, Cooper, Robert's debut, probably, Shackleton, Dan James, Gellhart, Joseph.
19:18 Their names I would probably suggest should start and probably will start.
19:24 But then again, you've seen the form Chelsea are in. You're totally right.
19:28 They are definitely, definitely improving under Pochettino. They look pretty decent against City.
19:33 They're definitely getting better. We know how good their players are.
19:36 So, if Leeds put out a very weak team there, then it could get quite ugly, couldn't it, really?
19:41 So, if they go full strength, then why can't they cause a shock?
19:44 It's a really difficult one to weigh up this, to be honest. But there's no doubt about it.
19:48 The league games have got priority. So, my suggestion would be probably make plenty of changes.
19:52 Yes, to have a smatter in a first team. But this is what happens when you're fighting on two fronts.
19:57 And as you say, you never know. Get through that. Then all of a sudden, we're in the quarters.
20:00 And we're talking about a proper cup run, aren't we? And the final is the same weekend as the playoff final,
20:05 which could cause a few headaches. But I don't think we'll quite get that far ahead of ourselves yet.
20:10 Because no matter what team Leeds play at Chelsea, they'll obviously be massive underdogs.
20:14 I mean, this is back to the Premier League teams now, isn't it? So, they're not there yet.
20:17 So, Chelsea will be massive favourites. And basically, just go and give a good account of yourselves.
20:22 And if you can get through, great. But the bottom line is Leeds need to make sure they're in the same division as Chelsea next season.
20:28 That's 100 per cent the priority. And team selection has to be factored into that, I think.
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