As Daniel Farke sat down to dissect Leeds United’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, he will have known what was coming.
For the fourth this time this season, his side had delivered a stunning and much-needed win under the lights at Elland Road.
Special nights at home are something Leeds have developed a penchant for and Farke was about to be asked what it is about those chilly Beeston evenings that lights a fire in his players.
The German of course acknowledges the role played by fans – but otherwise does not necessarily buy the narrative of circumstances being wildly different.
“We always speak about it,” he said. “We’re playing the same game with the same rules, it’s more 11v11, a rectangle on both sides, the same rules, you don’t have to play differently in away games than home games.
"But of course, we know we probably have the best supporters in this country and Elland Road can rock like no other place in the country. We have a pretty special atmosphere and of course, the players feel even more confident, especially once you are promoted and playing with the big names at this level.
Leeds United continued their trend of picking up crucial home wins with a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.placeholder image
Leeds United continued their trend of picking up crucial home wins with a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. | George Wood/Getty Images
"Perhaps it’s a sign of even more encouragement when we play in front of our excited home crowd. But I always want the same approach, the same manner. It’s not always that easy and you have to accept this and I think it’s more or less normal if you have a better home record in terms of points. If you know the stadium, if you don’t have to travel, it’s a bit easier. But I’m not a big believer in a big difference.”
A late consolation goal from Lorenzo Lucca did little to dampen the spirits, even if the fans were indeed damp in the rain-battered stadium.
There is every chance Leeds stay up on the strength of their home form. Clubs have done it before and if any club looks capable of doing it again, it is the Whites.
Challenge away from Elland Road
However, improvements on the road could certainly make the coming months considerably less tense. When Farke’s men visit Chelsea, they will be hunting for their first away win in the league since September. The trend of crucial wins generally only coming at home is one they could do with bucking.
Those who follow Leeds up and down the country could be forgiven for feeling a victory away from home is coming - and not just because they feel owed.
Since Christmas, Leeds have taken points off Sunderland, Liverpool and Everton on their travels. A fearlessness appears to have built within Farke’s squad, something there has been a constant hankering for since the days of Marcelo Bielsa.
It is a trait perfectly exemplified by Bogle setting off from the halfway line to run in behind the Forest defence, latch on to a stunning Ilia Gruev pass, and poke past Stefan Ortega. There were shades of Stuart Dallas against Stoke City all those years ago, although Gruev’s pass was even more sublime than the one provided by Pablo Hernandez.
Chelsea will be fancied to remove the spring from Leeds’ step but make no mistake, they will not be licking their lips at the prospect of facing them.
Jayden Bogle gave Leeds United the lead against Nottingham Forest.placeholder image
Jayden Bogle gave Leeds United the lead against Nottingham Forest. | Michael Regan/Getty Images
Leeds United’s fearlessness
"That’s always the case – we don’t fear anyone,” Farke said. “Otherwise, you can’t deliver performances like at Man City or Liverpool, clean sheet, or other top away performances, Newcastle. I didn’t have the feeling we were fearful or something like this. We are still respectful and we are still humble and there’s no reason right now to lose the ground on our feet.
"We know we are not the favourites when we play them in London but we also know that if we are at the top of our game, we have a chance to make a tight game out of this and perhaps to reward ourselves with points. In this manner, we will travel to London.”
Leeds United: Darlow, Rodon, Struijk, Justin; Bogle (Bornauw 90+6), Ampadu, Gruev, Aaronson (James 78), Gudmundsson; Okafor (Longstaff 82), Calvert-Lewin.
Unused substitutes: Perri, Bijol, Tanaka, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha.
Nottingham Forest: Ortega, Aina, Milenkovic, Abbott (Netz 76), Morato; Sangare, Anderson; Hudson-Odoi (Ndoye 67), Gibbs-White (Yates 67), Dominguez (Hutchinson 54); Jesus (Lucca 54).
Unused substitutes: Gunn, Cunha, McAtee, Awoniyi.
Referee: Peter Bankes (Merseyside)