Daniel Wales and Lee Sobot talk all things Leeds United, as the Whites reach the Championship play-off final, having defeated Norwich City four-nil. They then debate whether Joe Rodon will sign permanently, and whether Patrick Bamford will be available at Wembley, before attempting to predict the big match itself.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 Well, Lee, it is Wembley for Leeds United. They've gone one better than they did in the
00:22 playoffs back in 2019 against Derby, of course, and Wembley is what is to come for Leeds in the
00:29 playoff final, having beaten Norwich 4-0 in the second leg. It was quite the display at Elland
00:36 Road, of course, after the 0-0 at Cowra Road, where Leeds seemed to be showing signs of resurgence
00:42 after a slump right at the wrong time at the end of the season. It all came up in the right way for
00:50 them. And as I say, a 4-0 win to round off the semi-finals and get them to Wembley. How do you
00:55 react on that one? Yeah, it was absolutely incredible. It was just not what I expected
01:00 at all, really. I think everybody knew Leeds were capable of that and that was the big sort of
01:05 million-dollar question going into the game, wasn't it? Can they get back to even something
01:08 like that? Yeah, what we got was something like that with bells on it. That was definitely the
01:13 best performance of the season and it's just left everybody with a massive spring in the step going
01:18 into the playoff final, which is funny, really, because obviously when Leeds were consigned to
01:23 the playoffs, it felt like everybody was dreading them a bit. And obviously, there is still one game
01:27 to go and it could ultimately still all end in really awful tears. But let's hope not. We'll
01:31 come to the playoff final in a minute. But based on that display, they should be going into it
01:35 very, very confident no matter who they're playing. I mean, whether it was Southampton or West Brom,
01:39 because of the play like that, they're going to take an awful lot of stopping. And yeah,
01:42 we said beforehand, obviously, the Norwich goalless draw was a step in the right direction.
01:48 But it wasn't, you know, the bar was set pretty low, etc. because of recent performances. But the
01:52 key thing really was they needed to get clicking in an attacking gear. And obviously, they definitely
01:55 did that. I mean, four goals and it's no exaggeration really to say that could have been,
01:59 you know, you can get carried away watching displays, but that could have been six or seven
02:02 quite easily. You know, I mean, Norwich were awful. They were really poor. Obviously, David
02:05 Wagner played the price by getting sacked. And that was probably a bit of a surprise. But
02:09 I don't think that's just on the back of that one display. But I mean, it was just a ruthless
02:13 display by Leeds. Absolutely all over. And I mean, the biggest one, there's 11 shots on target
02:18 compared to one for Norwich. I mean, that's a big start in itself. 18 shots compared to four and then
02:22 58% possession. Sort of all the stuff you'd expect, but just a little bit more obviously going
02:28 forward and taking the chances or at least most of them, as I said, they could have taken even more.
02:32 And yeah, I mean, we'll come to the atmosphere in a minute, which was absolutely amazing. I mean,
02:36 that really did set the tone for the evening, I think. I mean, it's interesting what Patrick
02:39 Bamford said about that, which we'll come to that in a minute. But just a really,
02:43 really good performance. A very unladder. I think many people would have had Ilya Gruev,
02:46 the first scorer, obviously with his free kick. But that was nicely worked. Obviously,
02:51 caught Angus Gunn napping a little bit and then obviously 1-0 up and then Peru with the second
02:55 goal. Really nice finish. And the thing is, though, you can't forget that the big moment in
02:59 that match, although Leeds absolutely romped to victory four, another big moment in that match
03:03 was the Melies save, you know, because obviously 2-0 and if that gets scored, it's 2-1 and all of
03:08 a sudden nerves can set in a little bit. And you've got to remember in the Derby playoff semi
03:12 going back to 2019, which you alluded to then, Leeds were obviously 1-0 up beforehand and then
03:17 2-0 up and still went out. So, you know, even 2-1, if that Melies save doesn't happen, it could
03:23 soon change. But it didn't. And obviously, Routier with the third and then some of the laughs at the
03:27 break to make it four. And even then, there was loads of other mischances and stuff. And
03:31 it was just one way traffic, really. And that's what you want to see. And it's,
03:35 I don't know, it's hard to put your finger on sort of like why it suddenly happened or why
03:38 it suddenly clicked. But I mean, all you can do is say fair play, because obviously, I think a lot
03:43 of people are worried about the playoffs and the sort of nerves and everything that goes with it.
03:46 But I mean, everything clicks there. And the thing with it is, a few people said this and it's true,
03:51 it was just one of those games where you went down the ratings or the players and everybody
03:55 had a really good game. You know, like everybody was at least an eight or a nine out of 10. And
03:59 if you do that, then obviously with the players Leeds have got, let alone the options on the
04:04 bench, then the more often than not, they're going to come out with victories at this level.
04:08 So excellent display. It was a brilliant night, a real pleasure to be there. As I say,
04:13 we'll come on to the fans and the atmosphere in a minute. But yeah, I mean, they're hard to predict
04:18 this team. They really are. I mean, it wasn't not so much during that run, obviously at the start of
04:22 the year, and it went so long and beaten, you kind of knew what you were going to get. But at the
04:25 moment, you sort of don't, you know, and I've got to admit, I went to that game and I wasn't feeling
04:29 optimistic at all. You know, I was fully prepared for Leeds to go out. And how wrong I was, and I'm
04:34 glad that I was wrong, because obviously now we're heading to Wembley and hopefully to the Premier
04:38 League. But I mean, that'll be a hard game. We'll come to Southampton in a minute. But yeah, full
04:42 credit to Leeds, full credit to Daniel Farke and full credit to the fans as we'll come to now,
04:46 because that was a special night.
04:58 Well, yes, just on that, of course, Elland Road is always famed for its noise and atmosphere,
05:04 and it was really one of those nights, wasn't it, at Elland Road against Norwich. I think everyone
05:10 sort of knew that the supporters could once again be the 12th man in such an important game, and
05:16 my God, were they. So just from your point of view, Lee, of course, you would have been sat
05:22 in the press box, taking it all in. Just what was it like being at Elland Road on such a night?
05:27 Absolutely amazing. And it really is such a cliche, this whole 12th man thing,
05:31 and everything like that, or people think it is a cliche. But I don't think it is really with
05:36 Leeds. If it works and when it's going right, it really is a 12th man. And proof in the pudding is
05:40 that it's obviously Patrick Bamford's out at the moment, obviously, or has been out. And he was on
05:45 my Mates of Footballer podcast at the weekend. And he said after that game, when he was speaking,
05:49 he said basically he sort of knew, like with the atmosphere when the players came out,
05:54 there was no way Leeds weren't going to win. He just knew that that was the effect that the crowd
05:59 had on the players, clearly, that they were so fired up and the atmosphere, they just sort of
06:02 knew that they had to go out and perform and had to do it for them. And everybody was just so revved
06:06 up. And that just speaks volumes, literally volumes, about what an impact that can have.
06:11 The thing we've always said on these shows is that it can work the other way. And there is
06:14 no doubt about that. And we did say that before the game, that it should be an advantage that
06:17 Leeds are at home, et cetera. But then obviously, if they go one nil down early, it can turn. And
06:22 obviously, the away side can feel the nerves, et cetera, et cetera. And that could happen at
06:26 Wembley in a playoff final, hopefully not. So it can work the other way. But when it clicks and it
06:33 goes like that, I mean, there's just no better support. And it was absolutely amazing to be
06:37 there, like some of the sights and stuff. I mean, I did the 2019 playoff semifinal at Ellen Road
06:42 against Derby. And to be honest, it was that long ago now that I can't particularly remember what
06:45 the atmosphere was like. But it would have been amazing. But it definitely wasn't like that.
06:48 That was literally like nothing I've experienced at Ellen Road. I mean, there's been big games,
06:52 obviously, in the Premier League as well when they played big teams, when they were fighting
06:55 relegation. There was big atmospheres then. Obviously, when they went up, there was no
07:00 crowd, unfortunately. But that will live long in the memory, that one. I mean, I think you got into
07:06 Ellen Road. And even when you got into Ellen Road, you saw the scarves on the back of everybody's
07:09 seats that the club had put on. And you sort of thought, wow, this could be amazing. Or what
07:13 will people think of it? And I think a few people thought, thinking, oh, it's not Derby again,
07:16 is it? This, that and the other. And Bamford said himself it can sometimes look a bit gimmicky,
07:20 things like that. But it didn't. It was absolutely amazing. The sights of everybody
07:23 swinging around their heads and stuff. It was just a sea of white. And, yeah, I mean,
07:27 there's no doubt about it. This club has got Premier League support, you know, times a thousand.
07:32 It really has. It must be amongst the best supporters in the country and deserve a Premier
07:36 League team. And if they get back to the Premier League, they will have been an absolutely huge
07:39 part of that because there's no doubt about it that they spurred them on in that second leg.
07:44 So, yeah, all to Wembley now. And, you know, that was an amazing sight, Ellen Road. But, I mean,
07:48 I can imagine it's going to be, you know, that with, you know, times whatever at Wembley,
07:53 it'd probably be an absolutely incredible sight. Again, we'll come to that one in a minute,
07:56 though. But, yeah, fantastic fans. And they do ultimately make a difference.
08:00 Yes, we'll come to the playoff final itself in a couple of minutes.
08:05 But, firstly, if we focus on a couple of individual players, firstly, looking going
08:20 towards defence and Joe Rodon, of course, a Welsh international and looking actually at his future,
08:26 because, of course, you've mentioned in a lot of these episodes this season, Lee, that he's
08:30 alongside Ethan Ampadu at times has been like a Welsh brick wall at the back for Leeds. And so,
08:36 is it essential that Leeds get him tied down as soon as possible?
08:40 Yeah, definitely. He's got to be one of the first people to look to sign 100%.
08:44 And that's whether or not they go up or not, really. Now, obviously, if they don't go up,
08:48 that'll be up to Joe Rodon, really, won't it, whether or not he sort of like thinks he can
08:51 get back and have another season back in the Premier League, etc. Hopefully, it doesn't come
08:55 to that because he can have a Premier League season with Leeds. But you've got to remember,
08:58 and it's very hard, easy to forget that he is ultimately just a lone player, you know,
09:02 on loan from Tottenham, he's Tottenham Hotspur's player. So the first thing you've sort of got to
09:06 say is, well, can you see him going back there and getting in? And the vibes you sort of get
09:09 from the sort of journalists and stuff and people that cover the club at Tottenham is know that it
09:12 basically looks like a done deal that he's going to leave the club. And if he is going to leave the
09:17 club, then I don't think there's anywhere, you know, like it's just a no-brainer, surely it'll
09:20 go to Leeds. The only thing that will complicate matters, I suspect, or I hope not, but could
09:24 complicate matters, is if other clubs come in for him as well, because ultimately money talks,
09:28 you know, and then if it becomes like other clubs are interested and it becomes a bidding war,
09:33 etc., etc., then that's obviously where complications can arise. But surely, like,
09:37 I mean, he's a perfect fit for Leeds. I think various people said that he just seems to get
09:41 the club, you know, like when he speaks in his interviews, he just feels like a Leeds player.
09:45 And I know he is, but like not alone. He feels like he's already part of the furniture there,
09:48 you know, and we don't need to talk about his performances. He's been absolutely fantastic
09:52 and stuff. I mean, I just look for him. I think it's the last 34 games that he's played every
09:56 single minute of, you know, which is amazing, really. It's like he's just becoming a virtual
09:59 ever-present. It's only the start of the season, really, where he missed out the odd little bit
10:03 and part of that was through injury. I don't know what he's going to cost. I mean, he's still fairly
10:07 young at 26. For a centre-back, obviously, he's got stacks of international experience with Wales,
10:12 so I don't suspect he'll be particularly cheap. You know, like, I mean, we're going to be talking,
10:16 I don't know, 10, 15, 20 million, something like that. I don't know. I suspect towards the higher
10:21 upper regions of that, I would think, but 100% worth it. He's like the sort of player that,
10:28 quite simply, you need to build your defence around, which is what they are doing and what
10:32 they have done. I mean, quite a lot will happen if Leeds can sign him permanently and you've got
10:35 him and then you've got Pascal Stroik, obviously, to come back. And then Ampadu has been playing as
10:39 a centre-back. I don't know. They'd probably have to maybe strengthen the defence more in the Premier
10:42 League because he needs to be rock solid. But he's someone, I think, who could do it at either
10:47 level. Obviously, it'd be a lot harder in the Premier League, but I mean, the Championship,
10:50 definitely, at the moment, he's certainly standing out and also looks like a leader,
10:53 you know, someone you could see being a captain in times. One thing, I think, if you're being
10:58 critical that he could do more of, or certainly do, because he hasn't done it all yet, is score,
11:02 because he's a big, big lad, obviously, and gets forward for set-pieces. And he's the sort of guy
11:07 that really should be chipping in with a few goals each season from set-pieces. But that's just,
11:12 that's no sort of slight just on Joe Roden, because that goes for Leeds as a whole. You know,
11:16 like, they're just not very good at set-pieces. I mean, obviously, Grua scored the direct free
11:20 kick, but from corners and stuff like that, they need to offer more of a threat. He's gone close
11:24 a few times with headers and stuff, and you can sort of see the anguish when he just misses. You
11:27 know, I think it's only a matter of time before he does get one and hopefully gets a few more,
11:30 assuming he ends up a Leeds player for the long term. But yeah, I mean, he's been absolutely
11:34 fantastic this season. I said about Woodgate before, reminding me of him. That's very true.
11:39 I think he does. He does remind me of a Woodgate. It's a lot of Ben White, sort of,
11:42 Mark Two, you know, like a very similar sort of scenario in how good Ben White was when he was on
11:47 a season-long loan. Obviously, Leeds then made him their number one target and didn't get him.
11:53 And you hope that that won't be the case again this summer, because I'm certain,
11:56 you know, they'll have to look all over the pitch, obviously, in terms of strengthening,
12:00 but depending on, obviously, what division they are in terms of quite what they get and the quality
12:04 and how much they can spend. But either way, there's no way you can't look at him as one of
12:08 the number one priorities. I mean, he just looks like a fantastic player who's been a brilliant
12:12 signing. And hopefully, Leeds can get him on a long-term deal, because that's what everybody
12:17 would definitely want. Fantastic player. Yes, I mean, going from what you said earlier,
12:23 I can't see where he would fit back in at Tottenham, to be honest, given the fact that
12:27 he's built that relationship at Leeds now and given Tottenham, of course, Antropos de Cogli,
12:31 who's really trying to create these foundations at the club. Obviously, he criticised the club a
12:36 lot after the Manchester City loss in midweek. So I think he probably wants his own sort of
12:40 way about things. And given that Rodon's not been there for a large part of that,
12:44 you can't really see him getting back in too well. As I said, the only danger really with Daniel is
12:50 his other clubs coming in. That's the only thing I could see as a potential complication. And I
12:55 wouldn't be surprised if that happened, because we can sit here and fans can sit here and rave
12:59 about him and how good he's been, etc, etc. But if we can do that, then so can other clubs,
13:03 you know. And that's always the thing, isn't it? If you shine for your team, whether it's
13:07 your team or your loan side, then ultimately everybody's looking at you and that creates
13:11 interest. So that's the only thing I could see if somebody else was, especially if Leeds didn't go
13:16 up and it was someone in the Premier League who fancied a punt, then it becomes very difficult
13:19 because then obviously he's got a choice of do I go to a club where it's felt like home and have
13:24 fitted in or do I make a move for a Premier League team? But hopefully it won't come to that.
13:28 Hopefully Leeds will be in the Premier League. And to be honest, even if they're not, I wouldn't
13:32 rule out them getting him anyway, because as I say, it just seems a natural fit. And obviously
13:36 with his teammates there as well and stuff, it just all makes sense, doesn't it? So fingers
13:40 crossed, that's what happens.
13:42 Now looking more towards the forward line at Leeds United, of course, Joel Pirro had a very
13:58 good game against Norwich City in the second leg, scoring that goal. And he's been starting,
14:03 of course, of late because of the injury to Patrick Bamford. Now Bamford, of course,
14:07 as we've mentioned, Leeds have missed him. I think that's very clear, certainly towards the
14:13 running of the season. But Pirro's done, as I say, well in that last game against Norwich. So
14:18 should Bamford be available for the playoff final, which is still, of course, up in the air at the
14:24 time of recording, we don't know. I was going to say, does he come straight back in? But given
14:31 the fact that he's missed a few games, probably not is the answer. But how much of an impact
14:36 could he have if he is available in any way, shape or form off the bench?
14:41 Yeah, I think that's the key. I think if Bamford is fit, and it's a big if, and he said it himself
14:45 on the podcast that he was on this week, that if he is fit, that he can't see himself starting,
14:50 because obviously he'll have been out for basically a month and obviously he's not going
14:53 to be much sharp and stuff. And to play 70, 80 minutes would be a big ass. So
14:56 I think it almost answers itself really that I can't see him starting if he is fit. And we
15:01 obviously hope he is fit, because if he is fit, he could have an enormous impact off the bench,
15:05 for 100% sure. But going back to Pirro, yeah, I mean, that was obviously just what he needed in
15:11 that second leg. He was the one obviously who came out of the team in the first leg via this reshuffle,
15:17 which obviously led to Archie Gray in midfield, the three-man midfield. It would have been
15:22 interesting because, I mean, I wouldn't say Daniel Farke's hand was forced, but it was to a degree,
15:27 because obviously he was forced into a change in the second leg via Sam Byron being injured,
15:31 which obviously meant that someone else had to play it right back. And obviously Archie was the
15:34 one who then dropped back, which then led to an opening in the team. And Pirro was the one who
15:39 obviously came in. And it just all seemed to make sense that obviously going with him up front,
15:43 and then obviously having a bit more of an attacking sort of splendidly team and whatever.
15:46 But he's, yeah, it's an interesting one, Joel Pirro, because when Leeds signed him,
15:51 obviously everybody was kind of like, well, this is the number nine we've been wanting for ages,
15:54 et cetera, because of all the goals he got at Swansea. And he's shown it in fits and starts
15:58 this season. But then there's been lots of games as well where you've got to be honest,
16:01 he just hasn't played very well at all. I mean, some of the games he has had pretty low ratings
16:04 that we've given him and deservedly so, because he hasn't been that good. He hasn't been the only
16:08 one at times. But then, you know, when it happens for him, he's a real handful. And Daniel Farke
16:14 obviously was faced with this question a lot during the start of the season, early stage of
16:18 the season, you know, why are you playing him as a number 10 when he's a number nine? He gave a
16:22 very long answer on it and really defended it. I think he made the sort of point, he didn't really
16:25 want to have to answer it again, really, which was that, you know, often a lot of his goals at
16:28 Swansea were done from arriving deep and whatnot. But there's still a suspicion that when he just
16:33 plays as a number nine, that that just seems to fit. And that goal, obviously his header, I mean,
16:38 it was just real centre forward play, because you had Nonto going with the ball down the wing,
16:41 you had Pirro making the run for the middle, and Pirro actually like pointed to where he wanted
16:44 it, you know, and it was just like, it just felt like a real centre forwards goal and stuff. And
16:48 obviously confidence is a big thing as well, his confidence will be thriving after that. So, yeah,
16:52 I mean, just looks a natural call. I mean, the thing with him as well, obviously, you know,
16:57 it costs around 10 million, but he's still only 24, he's still fairly young, there's probably still
17:00 a bit more improvement to come. He has got 14 goals this season, that's like just outside the
17:05 top 10 of the division. So, although it's been, you know, at times the jury's been a little bit
17:09 out on him, I suppose, that is still not a bad return for your first season at a new club and
17:13 stuff. And yeah, I mean, I think it almost just picks itself really in terms of what happens in
17:18 the playoff final because of Bamford, obviously, if he is fit, and we hope he is, then obviously,
17:23 he said himself, he isn't going to be fit enough to start. The only thing that could potentially
17:28 complicate matters is if Daniel Farker chooses to go a bit more defensive, you know, and like,
17:31 obviously make him harder to beat, well, harder to break down solid through the middle, a bit
17:35 like they did in the Norwich first leg. And we'll come to the game in a minute whether or not he'll
17:39 do that and whether he should do that. But yeah, Pirro's certainly ending the season with a bang,
17:43 and he does seem to do quite well in big games. And it wouldn't surprise me at all if he got one
17:47 at Wembley. I mean, let's hope so. But yeah, we've got him on a long contract. As I say,
17:52 he's a decent age and there's no doubt, you know, he's a good finisher. So he's got most things in
17:57 his game, really. And quite often, a lot of people in their second season are even better. So let's
18:01 hope that's the case for him because he's definitely a talented player. There's no doubt
18:03 about that, whether it's at nine or 10, but number nine, I would say personally.
18:07 Well, then let's get on to it. The big one, which is the playoff final. Yes,
18:22 we've skirted around it so far in this episode, but finally we'll get on to it. It is Leeds
18:29 versus Southampton in the playoff final at Wembley on Sunday. Of course, they only met each other
18:35 not too long ago on the final day of the championship season with Southampton running
18:38 away as two-one winners at Elland Road, which helped to consign Leeds to the playoffs. But
18:43 let's be honest, it was already pretty inevitable given the way things were looking prior to that
18:48 match. So that might be a bit of a psychological edge in favour of Southampton, but of course,
18:55 Leeds very good against Norwich and sort of backed their best and that will fill them with confidence.
19:00 Southampton getting there with a nil-nil draw at the Hawthorns before a three-one win at home at
19:06 St Mary's against West Brom in the return leg. So, Lee, you've said there Daniel Falker could
19:13 look at it two ways. He could go with the attacking way he employed against Norwich in the second leg,
19:19 or he could perhaps take an attacker out and perhaps try to be more difficult to break down
19:24 and contain Southampton, at least for large parts of the game, if he went more defensive. So what
19:29 do you think is more likely? Do you think maybe because Southampton have beaten them so recently,
19:34 Leeds might be a little bit more tempted to sit in and contain and then maybe if the game needs
19:39 to open up towards the end of it, then perhaps push on? Or would he just want to go out all
19:44 guns blazing and win the game by half-time? It's a big call really, isn't it? And you
19:49 summarised it brilliantly there. I mean, at the end of the day, Daniel Falker said it himself
19:53 after the two-one defeat at Elland Road. He said basically, his words are along the lines of,
19:58 if we met in the playoffs, we'd have a different approach. Maybe that's a clue in itself because
20:02 obviously what he was basically saying is that in that final game of the season, look, it was so
20:06 unlikely. I think we already all knew there were going to be playoffs which weren't going to slip
20:10 up and stuff. I think most of the players kind of felt that as well. But he had to have a go for it.
20:15 And that's his team selection and stuff and the way they went for it was very much geared
20:21 toward that effect, having to go early on and stuff. And his words afterwards, well, will it
20:25 be a bit different if we play him in the playoffs? Well, possibly. But the gut instinct with this now
20:30 is that after clicking so well in that 4-0 absolute hammering of Norwich, then why not just go for it
20:35 again? Because there would be the chance that they could just blow him away from the start and that's
20:39 what you would hope. So it's going to be a big call though because if he does that, obviously,
20:43 and then they end up getting exposed at the back and go 1-0 down early or something like that,
20:47 then obviously you start looking at it thinking, well, should we have gone a bit more defensive?
20:52 The obvious option is to go with this three-man midfield thing, obviously,
20:55 they did at Norwich, which made them a lot three-man in midfield and a bit harder to break
20:58 down. But I just think after that 4-0 win, everybody was springing the step. The natural
21:03 thing to do would be to do that and just sort of really go, not guns blazing, but try and get on
21:09 the front foot really. And he has always said that in his press conferences as well, Daniel Farker,
21:14 he's always said that whatever he's manager at Leeds United, there won't be a team that sit back,
21:18 there'll be a team that want to be on the front foot, that want to push things, that want to get
21:22 ahead early and stuff. And I just think that's the first leg at Norwich was a one-off because he
21:26 wanted to make sure that obviously they were solid first and foremost. But this is a big showcase
21:30 game and I think they'll go for it basically. And I think that's probably the way it will go.
21:35 In terms of how I see it go, I mean, obviously the big talking point that everybody will allude
21:39 to is the fact that Southampton are the only teams who have done the double over Leeds,
21:42 beating them home and away. And you can't ignore that, you just can't. But I just think this,
21:47 I could see a lot of reasons why it could be different this time. And obviously the 3-1
21:51 defeat in September, Leeds weren't great. But even on the, Daniel Farker said afterwards,
21:56 we've dominated pretty much every statistic, but we just haven't been sharp enough in the final
21:59 third, et cetera, et cetera. I mean, I remember that game and they weren't very good, but you
22:03 look at the figures and actually they did have more shots on target and more possessions. So
22:07 you can see where he's coming from. Also that was back in September, Leeds are a different side now
22:11 when they click as they did in that 4-0. And the last game of the season, as I say, there was loads
22:17 of different sort of facets to that. Obviously the fact that the players are probably thinking
22:20 of the playoffs, this, that and the other. And even in that game, they did have the chances
22:24 and stuff as well. Southampton just took theirs and made the most of them really. That all said,
22:29 massive, massive respect for Southampton. Got some very, very good players, obviously.
22:33 Key factors in this, Che Adams and Ross Stewart, look like they're both going to be back. They
22:38 haven't played recently. They're going to be two big ones. On the flip side, Stewart Armstrong
22:41 and Gavin Bazoon, who were two big players who were definitely out. Adam Armstrong has obviously
22:45 got 23 goals this season, which is a phenomenal return. And he's obviously going to be one of
22:50 the main ones to look for. I think he's favourite to score first. Will Smallbone is a very good
22:54 player as well. But Leeds have got very good players themselves. We saw on that 4-0 victory
22:59 and they are favourites, Leeds. I'm not surprised they're favourites. It's an interesting one.
23:04 So many people have different opinions about it. A lot of people think it's just a real 50-50 game.
23:08 But the more I think about it, the more I can see why Leeds should be favourites really,
23:12 because obviously they've had that 4-0 win. They'll have the crowd there. The thing is,
23:17 it's obviously a neutral venue, Wembley, but Leeds will try and make it feel like a home game,
23:20 won't they, with the noise? And then, sure, Southampton will too. But you know what the
23:23 fans are going to be like down there. There'll be a sea of white and I suspect it'll be a right
23:27 sight to behold and fill the Leeds players with confidence. So, from a Leeds United perspective,
23:33 I'd actually go into it feeling quite confident, I've got to say. And I hope that doesn't sound
23:38 ominous because I wasn't confident at all going into the semi-final second leg and look what
23:43 happened. So I hope we don't get the reverse this time around. But the more I think about it,
23:46 there's just plenty of ticks in Leeds United's boxes and stuff. And really, I mean, they should
23:51 have enough to be able to go and get it done. My big worry would be obviously, A, how they handle
23:56 the occasion and B, if something bad happens early, i.e. going 1-0 down early on or something
24:00 like that and how they react to that. But look, I mean, if you want a game to go into the playoff
24:05 final with, hammering someone 4-0 in front of that crowd at Ellen Road is exactly what you want.
24:09 The defence, obviously, will be boosted by a clean sheet. Melier will be boosted by a clean
24:14 sheet. The attackers should be thriving because they're scoring goals. I mean,
24:17 what's not to like about it? So really, they should be going into it full of confidence.
24:22 You have massive respect for Southampton, obviously. They showed what they could do
24:25 and they went on that incredible run. They eventually turned the screw against West Brom.
24:29 So you by no means write them off and it is a game that could go either way, really. But I mean,
24:34 I think you've got to be reasonably hopeful about Leeds. But it's handling the occasion. We all know
24:39 what this means, don't we? And let's just hope that finally, finally, they can lay the playoff
24:43 hoodoo to rest in the element style. Very much so, yes. I mean, I'm struggling to predict this
24:48 game. I know you're... Yeah, I was going to say, what's your thoughts on that? Yeah, it's a tricky
24:52 one, Lee, to be honest. I am struggling. I sound like Alan Sugar on The Apprentice whenever he's
24:58 out of first one. He always says I'm struggling. Well, I actually am. I actually am because as
25:03 you've put there, Southampton, they're a good side. Adam Armstrong, you know, for the championship
25:09 level is a great striker, has scored an awful lot of goals this season. As you say, Southampton are
25:14 missing a couple of key players. Leeds will be, you know, massively boosted by that win
25:21 against Norwich. Southampton ended the season probably marginally better than Leeds did. So
25:27 you've got that to factor into it as well. So yeah, I think it's a really, really tough one
25:32 to call. I think the fans, the whole 12-man thing that we've mentioned already, that is a factor.
25:38 And the fact that you'd imagine Wembley will... Well, obviously it'll be full. You can imagine
25:45 from a Leeds perspective, they'll be making as much noise as they possibly can in their end.
25:50 So I can see it. Honestly, I can see it going the distance. Yeah. I don't know whether that
25:57 means penalties, but I can see at least going to extra time and maybe a winner in extra time.
26:02 But I'm not entirely sure who. I think if I was going to pick, I probably would go just Leeds.
26:09 Yeah, I think it could well go extra time. Yeah, it could well go extra time. It's not difficult
26:20 to envisage that whatsoever. And if it goes extra time, then all of a sudden, you're on the cusp
26:24 of penalties. I mean, can you imagine the nerves in that one? I mean, it'd be absolutely incredible.
26:28 But personally, I just felt like going into the playoff semi-final and even into the second leg
26:33 at Ellen Road, my sort of gut instinct feeling was that if they get through this, great, obviously
26:39 we're in the playoff final. But then you're sort of like going into the playoff final nervy and
26:43 almost fearing the worst and thinking, oh no, you're going to lose at the final hurdle, fall
26:47 at the final fence. But that's because I wasn't expecting Leeds to play like they played against
26:51 Norwich, you know, and literally look back to the best. And so I think based on that,
26:56 I think summarising it basically, if Leeds play like they played against Norwich, I think they'll
27:01 win in 90 minutes. That's why I think. I mean, it's true that Southampton are a miles better team
27:06 than Norwich and they'll be a lot harder. But nevertheless, I think if Leeds repeat that
27:09 performance or something close to it, I think they'll get it done in 90 minutes. But it's a
27:14 big if because we just don't know, do we? These games tend to be, as much as you can build them
27:19 up and build them up, they tend to be quite nervy affairs regardless of how teams come into them
27:25 form wise. And because there's so much riding on it, teams sometimes can be a little bit reluctant
27:30 to go all guns blazing and they don't always click as well. Finals, as I say, sometimes they
27:35 can be massive affairs where it's really open and teams score a lot of goals or on the opposite side,
27:40 teams can just be trying to stay quite tight and not be complacent at the back. And so I can see
27:47 perhaps, I think because of the attacking sides both teams have, I could see a score draw with
27:54 Leeds-Nicolaerts in extra time. Like a 1-1 or something like that? Yeah, 1-1 after 90 and a 2-1
27:59 after extra time to Leeds is how I will predict it. And if that comes true, I'm going to be wishing
28:07 I'd put a bet on. Well, I'll go in full throttle this time and confident. I'll go Leeds to win
28:14 and both teams to score like maybe something like 2-1 Leeds. There's confidence for you, 2-1 Leeds.
28:21 But I mean, it could be anything, let's be honest. You're so right. Like it could just be a cagey
28:26 start and a totally different game. And you've got to be braced for the prospects of penalties.
28:30 It could well go that way. Look, let's just hope that when we reconvene next show next week,
28:34 Leeds are a Premier League side, like even if it is on penalties. But it's crazy to think that
28:39 the whole season has gone down to one game. But I mean, that's the playoffs for you, isn't it?
28:44 Really? And that was always the danger. We've done these shows right from the start of the season.
28:47 And we said like, that's why it's imperative that they get all my promotion, because obviously,
28:51 then you haven't got to go through all this and the ifs and the buts and the maybes and the limbo.
28:54 But it is what it is now. It is one game and they've got the talent to be able to win that
28:58 one game. It's just handling the occasion and getting back to the best. And it's a big if.
29:01 But yeah, fingers crossed. Let's hope we are both right on this occasion.
29:06 Indeed, yes. So that means that next week we will return with our bumper season review of Leeds
29:12 United. Of course, partially half of that episode will be dedicated to reflecting on the playoff
29:17 final against Southampton, with the other half looking back on either what has been a great
29:21 season, depending on the results, or what has been a season of what if, depending on whether
29:28 it doesn't go up for Leeds. Hold on to this. Hold on to this.
29:31 Exactly. And we will see you all then.