Daniel Farke was blown away by **Arsenal**last Saturday in a 5-0 defeat, before being dumped out of Round 2 of the Carabao Cup by Sheffield Wednesday midweek on penalties. And now with a quick turnaround, Farke is expecting a "fortress" to help get his men over the line versus Newcastle.
"A tough start"
Farke showed no sympathy for his side, who face two Champions League outfits - Arsenal and Newcastle United - in their opening three games, although admitted he would much prefer to face both when fixtures are more congested.
"We know it is a tough start but sometimes you would wish to have this type of fixture after a Champions League game for them, when then they are not so much on it and don't have a proper week to prepare. This time was the other way around, we had a cup game, but sometimes you can't choose."
Leeds United gained promotion to the Premier League after two seasons in the Championship, totalling 190 points. Farke urged the hard work over the pass two years makes matches like tomorrow's worth it.
"We were working so hard over the last 24 months to be allowed to play on this level again, and to play against the best sides in the Premier League and for that we are excited."
Even against the best sides in the country, home fixture creates uncertainty believes the 48-year-old.
*"We know that in one game, especially in a home game, at Elland Road, we always have a chance."*
Despite the Magpies losing to the reining-champions Liverpool 3-2 on Monday night. Farke felt that Eddie Howe's side were "with 11 and 10 men the better side."
"Even after the red card, after Tonali was out, Joelinton was out, they were still the better side because they have a squad in order to react when there are injuries."
The German gave his thoughts on the English coach's tenure thus far with the Magpies.
"Obviously they have a few problems right now due to the situations around Isak and also due to the injury situation, but overall I think Eddie Howe has done an incredible job because I like a lot what he does, and for me a quality manager is always defined over delivering over a long-term period and this is what he does more or less in all of his last clubs. So it is not like he has just one good month or one good season, he delivers really with consistency and I think he has done an incredible job and also has in this time also improved the squad also in depth."
"Each point matters"
The German knows the harsh reality of Premier League football, having been relegated previously with Norwich City in 2020.
He was asked if the season has gone as planned with a win versus Everton and a defeat to Arsenal thus far. But Farke knows points are like gold dust as a promoted team.
"I would have chosen any game to be honest because each point matters and each point has the same value. So for that of course I liked that we won the first home game also with a clean sheet and with a top performance."
Farke believes Elland Road will be "crucial" for his side to remain in the top flight, and is convinced they must win on the road if they want to "break the curse" and be the first promoted team in three years to stay afloat.
"For a newly promoted side its crucial that you become a fortress at home and win as many points at home, but wherever we find the points and can pick them up, win them, we take this because in the end we know we need more or less a point average of one per game, then we have a great chance. Also to break the curse and be the first of the promoted sides who doesn't go back straight away. I know it's a big challenge and a long road."
"A very important player for us"
Farke believes Dominic Calvert-Lewin "will prove he is a very important player" after his 40 minute cameo versus Wednesday midweek.
"What I liked in his first appearance after such a long time, he showed the striker instinct and was three or four time already in the situation where he can score. This is something you have to have as a striker and he's blessed with this, you can't learn, this is instinct to know where you have to be, where there is more or less the crunch time area. I was glad that he was there and had the chances, yes will be even more happy if he puts them to bed anyhow and I'm pretty sure when he gains full fitness he has a capability to do this and then will prove he is a very important player for us."
Isaac Schmidt and Largie Ramazani are both expected to go out on loan this season, with Farke unsure if he will be able to replace the pair.
"Yes we are looking for a forward to strengthen our offence a bit more and if this is one or two more signings, we will see."
An update was also given on the future of Brenden Aaronson and Jack Harrison.
"As it stands they're pretty much in my plans, it was also no coincidence if they wouldn't be in my plans. I wouldn't have started them both in the last cup game, also in the Everton game they came in."
New signing Noah Okafor showed "glimpses of his class" versus Arsenal according to Farke, but is expected to be a major doubt with a groin injury.
Farke also expects key players Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka to miss tomorrow's game, however, feels it is a tough task to replace his starters compared to Howe.
"I think it's fair to say perhaps in the last two games for us it's a bit more difficult to replace players of this caliber, at least for us, in comparison to a squad that is more or less equipped for playing in the Champions League."