Match Day Thread Fulham v Leeds United

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Fulham v Leeds United
Saturday 13th September@15:00 | Craven Cottage

Leeds United face Fulham with a mixed injury update, as Daniel Farke prepares to welcome back key players while simultaneously dealing with a fresh setback for a new signing. Positively, central midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka have both returned to team training after recovering from respective MCL problems, providing a much-needed boost to Farke's options in the engine room.

However, this good news is tempered by the loss of new arrival Lucas Perri. The Brazilian shot stopper, who had only recently overcome an initial hamstring issue, has now sustained a quad problem that will sideline him for both the Fulham and Wolves fixtures. Perri had shown flashes of potential, notably keeping clean sheets against Everton and Newcastle at home.

Further adding to Farke's worries, strikers Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe are carrying knocks, despite both being expected to travel with the squad. The gaffer could be called upon to start Noah Okafor up front if Dominic Calvert Lewin, Nmecha and Piroe are not fit to start. Joe Rodon should start despite suffering a concussion at the Wales training camp.

The upcoming trip to Craven Cottage also brings into focus Leeds' challenging record in the capital; their last top-flight victory in London dates back to the 21/22 season finale against Brentford under Jesse Marsch, a game remembered for a penalty gift and an opponent's sending off. On the other side, Fulham are in better shape, with manager Marco Silva hopeful that defender Issa Diop will be available after the international break, representing their only significant injury concern.

An interesting statistic also looms large for the Cottagers: they have conceded a penalty in each of their last five Premier League matches – a streak no side has extended to six games in a row. As Leeds navigate their injury landscape and historical struggles, this London encounter promises to be a stern examination for Farke’s men.

 

----------------------Mes-------------------------
Bogle---Rodon---Bijol---Gudmondsson
--------------------Amps--------------------------
-------------Stach---------Longstaff----------
James-----------------------------------Okafor
-----------------------DCL------------------------

 

Not Mes.

 

Didn't listen but read some of Farke's comments from the presser.

He needs to stop the rhetoric that he's unhappy with the lack of signings and that we dont have the individual talents and that this season is going to be hard work because that ****e goes straight through the dressing room. Last thing we need is the playing squad thinking that we aren't good enough to stay up.

Rhetoric should be much more positive than that now the window is shut.

 

I only picked up on the injury updates, so haven’t seen his comments but presumably he was asked directly about it given his previous comments. But yeh if he’s still droning on, I agree it’s one thing to put some pressure on the owners and another to not put it to bed and risk the confidence of the dressing room.

Previously I thought he was careful to make it sound like it was a numbers issue rather than infividual quality issue - but whilst I like Farke but there’s no doubt he likes to make sure everyone knows things aren’t his fault, and he’s likely got one eye on his next job.