Leeds United fans will look forward to their Premier League clash against Newcastle United after learning the identity of the referee for the game.
The optimism which greeted Leeds’ opening weekend win over Everton has evaporated into thin air after a heavy defeat against Arsenal, which was followed by a demoralising League Cup exit against Sheffield Wednesday.
Daniel Farke will be forced to rethink his midfield for the game after an injury to Ao Tanaka means he will join club captain Ethan Ampadu in the treatment room for the foreseeable future.
Leeds have now learned the identity of the referee who will take charge of their game against Newcastle, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks to bounce back from a difficult debut. Leeds fans will not be pleased with the name chosen, as he has a long history with the club.
Peter Barnes shows Luke Ayling a yellow card during Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United - Sky Bet Championship
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Referee appointed for Leeds United vs Newcastle clash
After conceding a controversial penalty in their clash with Arsenal, Leeds will be hoping to have more luck against Newcastle as Peter Bankes takes charge of the game.
Bankes has a long track record with the Whites, having taken charge of his first Leeds game in 2015 in a 1-0 defeat against QPR.
According to the data from Transfermarkt, Bankes has taken charge of Leeds games a total of 22 times. During that time, Leeds have won nine, drawn two and lost 10 times.
Peter Bankes’ record in Leeds United games:
Leeds wins: 9
Draws: 2
Leeds defeats: 10
Yellow Cards shown: 49
Red Cards shown: 1
Penalties awarded: 2
This includes back-to-back defeats in the two games with Bankes in the middle, both of which came in London against West Ham and Fulham as the Whites slipped toward relegation in 2023.
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Bankes also took charge of Leeds’ famous 2021 FA Cup defeat against Crawley Town, in a worrying omen following the loss against Sheffield Wednesday.
Kalvin Phillips is sent off during Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United - Sky Bet Championship
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Peter Bankes sent Kalvin Phillips off in a controversial defeat
Leeds fans may also remember a famous defeat against a Queens Park Rangers side which featured one-time Leeds target Eberechi Eze in their last promotion season under Marcelo Bielsa.
As Leeds suffered a wobble after a tricky Christmas period, they travelled to QPR looking to get their promotion charge back on track.
However, things did not go to plan as Bankes and his assistants failed to spot a handball in the build-up to Nakhi Wells’ winning goal. Having already denied Leeds a penalty for a trip on Helder Costa in the box, Bankes then awarded the visitors a spot kick, which Patrick Bamford missed.
Pablo Hernandez hit the post with a free-kick as the game drifted away from Leeds before Bankes showed Kalvin Phillips a justified red card for a late lunge. Leeds fans will be hoping there is no repeat of this result against Newcastle at the weekend.