'Calm' Farke deserves a shot at Premier League
After eight minutes of the promotion-clinching performance against Stoke City yesterday, BBC Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope said: "You feel it's over already, what more can Leeds United do?"The Whites stormed past sorry Stoke with the swagger of champions, unbound by the pressure the chase for promotion had put on them.It was all-precision on the pitch and utter pandemonium in the stands. But the seeds of this performance were sown earlier in the run-in.Every side has a rough patch – form falters, refereeing decisions don't go your way and injuries or ill-discipline deplete your squad. During the Peacocks' dip in form in March and the start of April, Daniel Farke remained calm.On 29 March after a 2-2 draw against Swansea City at Elland Road left Leeds two points behind then-leaders Sheffield United, Farke said: "I'm 100% convinced that next season we will play in the Premier League."Some criticised him for saying that.And when Leeds drew 1-1 at Luton the following week to make it three successive draws and promotion was slipping out of their hands, the German was criticised again when he called the result "a good point on the road".Promotion rivals Sheffield United also had a blip this month, but they didn't appear to stay so calm after their game with Plymouth ended with a fracas in the tunnel.But as all around them seemed to be losing their heads, Leeds kept theirs. Staying calm worked for Farke, who has written himself into United's history.And in spite of his critics – and there are still some who want a new manager – Farke has earned his shot at the Premier League.There will be more rough patches in the top tier of English football, and navigating them safely will be the key to staying up.Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Phone call could see Arsenal lose out on Zubimendi deal as Ian Wright makes plea
Arsenal have been chasing Martin Zubimendi but Real Madrid are looking to swoop in and steal a march as Ian Wright urges the Gunners to consider a move for Ademola Lookman Arsenal are yet to make a signing this summer but there is plenty bubbling away at the Emirates with several new faces on their radar. A new striker is a priority for Mikel Arteta and co as they look to end their Premier League wait. Benjamin Sesko is their prime target as they look to land a No 9 who can be a regular supply of goals. Just behind him and Martin Zubimendi is also on their radar having been a long-term target. It was previously reported that an agreement was close, but that could no longer the case. A cut-price deal for Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Chelsea star who remains the world's most expensive goalkeeper, is also in the pipeline. The Spaniard could be available for just £5million. Arteta has also seen several players leave this summer, the likes of Jorginho and Kieran Tierney, which means a lot of experience has left the building. Thomas Partey's deal expires in June but talks are ongoing regarding an extension. Here's the latest news coming out of north London. Zubimendi phone call could curtail transfer Arsenal are sweating on a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi after Real Madrid stepped up their interest in the Spain international, according to reports. Zubimendi has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates and it was thought a deal was practically agreed ahead of the summer transfer window. According to Marca, a deal for Zubimendi has become more complicated after Madrid joined the chase for the player, with "real interest" from Xabi Alonso's side as they bid to replace the outgoing Luka Modric. Zubimendi will now be eager to sort out his future, which remains up in the air despite appearing destined for Arsenal. The report from Marca claims he received a phone call from Madrid that has "changed everything". Wright's transfer wish Ian Wright has urged Arsenal to sign Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman this summer, stating that the Nigerian has 'unfinished business' in the Premier League. Now 27, he has spent the past three seasons with Serie A overachievers Atalanta, where his performances have caught the eye - not least his stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final 12 months ago. Gunners legend Wright named Lookman as a player he would like to see at the Emirates Stadium next season. The former striker was asked about some of his favourite moments of the season on his Wrighty's House podcast earlier this month. He said: 'I'm going to go with Ademola Lookman winning the African Player of the Year in respects of that man's journey. 'I remember him from Charlton, it didn't work out [the] £10million [move] to Everton, then moving all over the place, the journey from loan to this. Then I think that's one of the most devastating performances I've seen in any final with that hat-trick he scored. I hope we can buy him, Arsenal. I would love someone like him to come back to the Premier League and say, 'Listen, I have unfinished business here so I am going to help Arsenal win the league'." Lineker surprised by Delap stance Gary Lineker has expressed his surprise that Arsenal overlooked Liam Delap in their quest for a new striker. The 22-year-old forward recently joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town. The Gunners have identified signing a new number nine as a priority in the summer transfer window but opted against going after Delap - instead identifying the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Sesko. "Delap to Chelsea, interesting one," Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast. "I thought maybe Arsenal would go for him. Perhaps they did, I don't know, but Chelsea have got their man. "We'd said, didn't we, many times that Chelsea needed backup for [Nicolas] Jackson up top or an alternative. I think he's a young, exciting centre forward. I saw someone, I can't remember who it was, said they saw a bit of a young Alan Shearer in him."
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Thomas Tuchel urges England to play with a smile ahead of Senegal clash
The German was critical of the team's performance as they laboured to a 1-0 victory over minnows Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday. However, he is convinced the team can click into gear and insists there will be no need for them to feel inferior to the likes of Spain, Portugal and France at next summer's World Cup. We're live from St. George's Park where Thomas Tuchel – followed by Bukayo Saka – will speak ahead of tomorrow's game against Senegal! 🎙️ — England (@England) June 9, 2025 'I see us train with a smile, but not play with a smile,' Tuchel said. 'We need to improve, for sure. We need to improve in connections, in support, in interactions in the group. 'I feel we are too isolated on the pitch. We have not clicked yet. I don't see it has clicked between the players. 'We haven't done that yet, but it's also not the moment to look only on the negative side. We have a lot of positives to take away in training and in the sessions I see a lot of it, and it will obviously take a little bit to translate it to the pitch. 'The best thing is to focus on the principles of the game, to give clear instructions to the players, what we expect from them in their role,' he said. 'And then they forget about the shirt and how heavy it is, that they are free in the role and that they know what to do, and they have people around with whom it is easy for them to connect. And then just go for it.' Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka missed the Andorra game with a minor knock but Tuchel confirmed he would start against Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground in Nottingham on Tuesday night. It will be the first time the 23-year-old has played for England since Tuchel took charge, after he was unavailable for the international games in March as he recovered from a hamstring injury. The German also indicated the match could present a good opportunity for him to give some minutes one of his back-up goalkeepers, Dean Henderson or James Trafford. Tuchel and the England squad watched the Nations League final on Sunday between Spain and Portugal, with the German admitting the high-quality football played in the final four of that tournament was the 'benchmark' England had to reach. He has every faith in England to achieve the same standards though when it really matters, despite the poor performance against Andorra. 'We will rise to the occasion because it's very different. This will come. It will bring out the very best in us. We shall not develop a complex, because there is no need for it. Everyone is beatable,' he said. 'It is one of the most difficult things to do to play Spain in a final. They play with this natural self-confidence to be on the ball, to pass the ball around and to play through gaps. 'This is what they do. This is what they love. They make you suffer. They make you run behind. 'It takes a lot of time until you have the ball, but I think we have the quality, we have the ability and we have the courage. 'I struggle to say (it) because we were not there (as the coaching team in the Euros final in Germany), but it was 1-1 in the final and Spain scored in the last minute and it was the moment that gave the title to Spain. 'We have what it takes to compete.'
Rhyl Journal
3 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Thomas Tuchel urges England to play with a smile ahead of Senegal clash
The German was critical of the team's performance as they laboured to a 1-0 victory over minnows Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday. However, he is convinced the team can click into gear and insists there will be no need for them to feel inferior to the likes of Spain, Portugal and France at next summer's World Cup. We're live from St. George's Park where Thomas Tuchel – followed by Bukayo Saka – will speak ahead of tomorrow's game against Senegal! 🎙️ — England (@England) June 9, 2025 'I see us train with a smile, but not play with a smile,' Tuchel said. 'We need to improve, for sure. We need to improve in connections, in support, in interactions in the group. 'I feel we are too isolated on the pitch. We have not clicked yet. I don't see it has clicked between the players. 'We haven't done that yet, but it's also not the moment to look only on the negative side. We have a lot of positives to take away in training and in the sessions I see a lot of it, and it will obviously take a little bit to translate it to the pitch. 'The best thing is to focus on the principles of the game, to give clear instructions to the players, what we expect from them in their role,' he said. 'And then they forget about the shirt and how heavy it is, that they are free in the role and that they know what to do, and they have people around with whom it is easy for them to connect. And then just go for it.' Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka missed the Andorra game with a minor knock but Tuchel confirmed he would start against Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground in Nottingham on Tuesday night. It will be the first time the 23-year-old has played for England since Tuchel took charge, after he was unavailable for the international games in March as he recovered from a hamstring injury. The German also indicated the match could present a good opportunity for him to give some minutes one of his back-up goalkeepers, Dean Henderson or James Trafford. Tuchel and the England squad watched the Nations League final on Sunday between Spain and Portugal, with the German admitting the high-quality football played in the final four of that tournament was the 'benchmark' England had to reach. He has every faith in England to achieve the same standards though when it really matters, despite the poor performance against Andorra. 'We will rise to the occasion because it's very different. This will come. It will bring out the very best in us. We shall not develop a complex, because there is no need for it. Everyone is beatable,' he said. 'It is one of the most difficult things to do to play Spain in a final. They play with this natural self-confidence to be on the ball, to pass the ball around and to play through gaps. 'This is what they do. This is what they love. They make you suffer. They make you run behind. 'It takes a lot of time until you have the ball, but I think we have the quality, we have the ability and we have the courage. 'I struggle to say (it) because we were not there (as the coaching team in the Euros final in Germany), but it was 1-1 in the final and Spain scored in the last minute and it was the moment that gave the title to Spain. 'We have what it takes to compete.'
