Leeds United
Leeds United beat Derby 2-0 at Elland Road [Credit: Imago]
Keith Hackett
Sat 7 December 2024 18:10, UK
Keith Hackett insists there was little chance of Leeds United having their game abandoned once it had started against Derby on Saturday.
The Whites battled Storm Darragh to cruise to a 2-0 win at Elland Road on 7 December, with Sky Sports showing Joe Rothwell often needing to readjust his set pieces due to the extreme wind.
Hackett admits that the wind is always the most difficult challenge, but officials will ask the players to dig their heels in to help hold the ball when needed.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, the ex-Premier League referee and PGMOL chief shared what he used to tell players when the conditions were near their worst.
“When you decide to go ahead in difficult weather conditions your aim is to ensure you get through to full time,” he said.
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“One of the most difficult challenges is the wind but it is of course the same for both teams.
“When the ball as in this case starts to move off its spot at free kicks and corner kicks you ask the player to dig his heel into the ground to help hold the ball into position.
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“When a time goes 1-0 down then often they can act to exaggerate the difficult conditions
I used to say to them: ‘I have started so I tend to finish’.
*“At a professional game, you have to take into account the paying fans and if you abandon the safe egress from the stadium.*“
Daniel Farke
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke [Credit: Imago]
Daniel Farke will have been buzzing that the game went ahead, as he looked to bounce back from that terrible 1-0 defeat at Blackburn.
The Whites did just that and cruised back to the top of the Championship ahead of Sheffield United playing West Brom on Sunday 8 December.
Storm Darragh took its time getting to West Yorkshire but thankfully did little damage at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have already lined up one January transfer for Daniel Farke
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