Having made such a point of what he wanted from deadline day, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke could hardly backtrack in his first press conference since not getting it.
But if it causes others to write off the Whites' chances of avoiding Premier League relegation, that is fine by him. He will tell his players to use it as motivation.
In the last few days of the transfer window, Farke made it clear he wanted two more attackers, but neither was forthcoming. Now two of his three centre-forwards are doubts for Saturday's Premier League game at Fulham, although losing his first-choice goalkeeper is the main concern.
It is not the first window where Farke has not got everything he wanted at Leeds, and he plans to focus on what he has.
EXPERIENCE: Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow (Image: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)placeholder image
EXPERIENCE: Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow (Image: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
"It’s fair to say that after deadline day we weren’t dancing on tables – I don’t want to talk any nonsense," said Farke. “But I’ve got a few principles in how I work .
“One is I like openness and transparency – and to speak how I see it.
“The second principle is once a transfer window is closed you won’t hear one bad word from me in terms of being angry or disappointed.
"My job is to adapt to the reality and to make the best out of it, not to feel sorry for myself or feel negative.
MOTIVATION: Silencing Leeds United's doubters is inspiring Daniel Farke (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)placeholder image
MOTIVATION: Silencing Leeds United's doubters is inspiring Daniel Farke (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“I read the comments about our wingers – Daniel James, Willy Gnonto, Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson – not being good enough three years ago when we were relegated. I’ve told my players, ‘Take this as extra motivation to fight.’
“They have to show the outside world they are better players than three years ago. I am concentrating on making my players better."
Leeds retained Joel Piroe, last season's Championship top-scorer but playing in the Premier League for the first time. He has been joined at centre-forward by Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, both of whom have patchy fitness records.
Nmecha and Piroe are doubts for Saturday's game with foot and calf injuries sustained in training.
Given the record of newly-promoted teams in the last two Premier Leagues, it has caused some to question whether Leeds can stay up.
“I’m not too angry everyone has written us off already," said Farke.
“It’s always a big motivation if you’re doubted as a team.
“I need to give backing and trust to my players.”
That particularly applies to Karl Darlow, set for his first Premier League appearance since November 2021 after first-choice goalkeeper Lucas Perri picked up a quad injury which will keep him out at Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Darlow was a steadying presence when he replaced Illan Meslier in the Championship run-in, but at fault for Sheffield Wednesday's goal in his only match of 2025-26.
"How Karl kept his nerves at the end of the last season was outstanding,” said Farke. "In pre-season he looked unbelievably sharp.
"I've also watched the games for his national team (Wales) – many clean sheets in the last games, many top performance.
"I'm not concerned at all.
"Sometimes even a goalkeeper like Karl has a situation where he wished he could have done better.
"But I'm not worried at all just because of this (League Cup) game. I'm pretty sure he will deliver a top performance at the weekend.
"He's an experienced goalkeeper, he knows the Premier League inside out. He's not a guy who cracks under pressure."
In better news for Leeds, midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka have trained this week after medial cruciate ligament injuries, and are in contention to feature at Craven Cottage.