Leeds’ D. Farke on Tottenham’s Attacking Quality in Pre-Match Presser

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Leeds manager Daniel Farke gave his fitness update in his pre-match press conference before Saturday’s Premier League game against Tottenham at Elland Road. Kick-off in Matchweek 10 is at 12.30pm on Saturday 7 November, and John Brooks is the referee.

Farke’s main themes were the fitness of Okafor, Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Rodon’s return to team training, the threat Tottenham carry in attack, and the lunchtime atmosphere. He also named Leeds’ immediate target for the season. Leeds are 12th with 11 points from nine games, one point behind ninth-placed Tottenham.

Tottenham’s attacking quality

“You can’t choose, you have to adapt to challenges. Don’t have to speak about their quality, especially in offence when you look at what they can spend. All the chances to fight for Europe but we want to reduce their chances on Saturday.”

What he said

Farke was asked about Tottenham and pointed to their resources in attack. He said Spurs have every chance of fighting for Europe and that Leeds want to reduce those chances on Saturday.

What he meant

Farke is treating Tottenham as a side whose attacking spending sets them apart, not one defined by their league position. Spurs have scored 10 goals in nine games, one more than Leeds’ nine, so the gap on the pitch is small so far.

Tottenham arrive on a run of three straight wins, against Coventry, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. They scored seven and conceded one in those games, which supports his emphasis on their attack.

Rodon returns to training

“Joe Rodon, he is back in full team training this week. Of course he was out for quite a time, but definitely good because he is important for us.”

What he said

Farke confirmed that defender Joe Rodon has returned to full team training this week after a lengthy absence. Rodon is listed with a muscle injury.

What he meant

Rodon’s return to full training makes him an option again, though Farke did not say whether he will start. Leeds have conceded eight goals in nine league games, and Farke’s description of Rodon as “important for us” suggests he values the defender’s availability.

Okafor fitness doubt

“Noah Okafor obviously missed the last game, due to some adductor problems. He was not able to have one team training session this week, just individual work for him, so can’t really say if he is available for the game. We have two more days.”

What he said

Farke said Okafor missed Leeds’ last game, the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth on 31 October, with an adductor problem. The forward has done only individual work this week, and Farke said the club have two more days to assess him.

What he meant

Farke is leaving the decision open and giving no indication either way. With no team training completed, Okafor needs to progress quickly in the remaining two days to be considered.

Leeds have scored two goals in their last five games, so any doubt over an attacking player matters to the team selection.

Stach a major doubt

“Same for Anton Stach, with foot problems, so just individual rehab work was possible. They are major doubts, if they are available.”

What he said

Farke put Anton Stach in the same category as Okafor. Stach has a foot problem and has only been able to do individual rehab work this week. Farke described both players as major doubts.

What he meant

Farke’s wording, “major doubts”, is stronger than the “carefully optimistic” tone he used for Calvert-Lewin. Taking his comments together, Okafor and Stach are the two players he is least sure of for the weekend.

Calvert-Lewin foot setback

“Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a little setback with his foot as well, wasn’t able to train with us today, but with him I am carefully optimistic that he is back in training tomorrow.”

What he said

Farke said Calvert-Lewin suffered a small foot setback and missed training on the day Farke spoke. He added that he is carefully optimistic the striker will be back in training the following day.

What he meant

Farke sounds more hopeful about Calvert-Lewin than about Okafor or Stach, but a return to training is not the same as a place in the squad. On the other knocks, Farke said Gudmundsson and Justin, especially Gudmundsson, had trained in recent days with “no problem”.

Lunchtime atmosphere and fans

“It’s our responsibility to fire them up, this is what we try to do.”

What he said

With the game kicking off at 12.30pm, Farke spoke about the atmosphere at Elland Road. He said it is the team’s responsibility to fire up the supporters.

What he meant

Farke places the job of lifting the crowd with the players, not the fans. Leeds’ home form this season has been mixed: a 4-1 win over Newcastle, then a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace and a 1-1 draw with Man Utd. Leeds have drawn five of their nine league games.

Leeds’ immediate target

“reach 40 points as quickly as possible”

What he said

Farke named Leeds’ immediate aim as to “reach 40 points as quickly as possible”.

What he meant

The target is framed as a points total, not a league position. Leeds have 11 points from nine games, so they need 29 more to reach it.

They have won once in their last six games, drawing three and losing two, so the points are coming more slowly than that target needs.

Confidence check: Measured

Farke sounded measured. He was open about the uncertainty over Okafor and Stach, calling them “major doubts”, and gave only a cautious outlook on Calvert-Lewin. He did not say he expected a particular result, and his comments on Tottenham centred on their quality and spending.

The form figures back that tone. Leeds are winless in their last five games (two draws before a defeat at Bournemouth, with three draws and two defeats in the five), and have scored two goals in that run. Tottenham have won their last three. The table is tight, with one point between 12th and ninth.

Tottenham also have absences. Bergvall, Mudryk, Adarabioyo, Odobert and Simons are injured, and Bentancur is suspended after a red card. Farke did not mention these in the quotes provided.

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