Daniel Farke will face the media for the first time since deadline day this afternoon ahead of Leeds United’s trip to Fulham on Saturday.
The Whites failed to secure a late deal for Harry Wilson, who plies his trade at Craven Cottage, in the final hours of the summer, with the club stating that the London outfit pulled the plug just minutes before the window shut.
This rather quashed the mood of the fan base just two days after a well-earned goalless draw with Newcastle United, which meant four points have been taken from the a tricky opening trio of games.
Leeds will travel to London for a second time this weekend and hope this visit goes better than their last - the 5-0 rout by Arsenal. Here are a handful of questions Farke is likely to answer in today’s press conference.
Are Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu and Lucas Perri fit to play?
Both Tanaka and Ampadu suffered knee injuries in successive games before the international break and no set return date was given, aside from the confirmation that neither would return before the pause.
Both could have recovered in time to feature, but there is no guarantee. Meanwhile, reports have mooted that Lucas Perri is a doubt for the weekend with a supposed setback in training.
Farke will iron this out this afternoon, as well as whether Ilia Gruev has come back with problems from Bulgaria duty, as outlined by his national team boss. Joe Rodon is expected to be fine to play despite his withdrawal from the Wales squad.
How do you feel about deadline day?
As stated above, this is the first time Farke will speak since missing out on Wilson on deadline day. After full-time against Newcastle, the Leeds boss said it would be ‘difficult’ for his team to stay up without more attackers. None came.
He will be quizzed on this and his faith in his current attackers in light of his previous thesis. It may well have been a public message to the board to cover his own back if things go awry but the manager is said to feel the same way as the recruitment staff about deadline day - a bad day but a good window.
Is Dominic Calvert-Lewin ready to start?
The striker has played twice for Leeds now, both times as a substitute. Farke outlined that the 28-year-old was undergoing a mini pre-season after arrival, having not played at all over the summer following his release by Everton.
Calvert-Lewin has had the last two weeks to find further fitness and the hope is that he can start against Fulham in a best-case scenario. If not, then it can’t be long before he does - he is the club’s main striker and is on a hefty wage packet.
How important are these next few games?
Leeds do not face a team that finished inside the top eight last season from now until November, upon which comes a daunting six-game run against title contenders and European hopefuls.
Fulham is a tough trip, as is the home clash with Tottenham Hotspur, but Wolves, Bournemouth at home, Burnley and West Ham are already crucial games in the quest for survival. Farke will say every game is important but he will be aware of the gravitas of the next six games, with his job on the line if Leeds flop.
What will it feel like to come against players you wanted to buy in the summer?
Wilson is one and Rodrigo Muniz is the other. Muniz was the top target for most of the window before the quick pivot to Calvert-Lewin, who club chiefs insist was always the first pick before being told to forget the idea earlier in the window.
Muniz had indicated a good reception at his end to a move to Leeds, but Fulham stayed firm. Wilson had gone one further and signed off on the deal before his employers backed out.
Farke will doubtless go along the lines of paying respect to the quality of the duo but that the club’s interests now matters not a jot. But fans will be fearing the inevitable fate that football normally throws up in such scenarios.
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