Leeds Utd v Harrogate Town Match Thread

[Ellandback1]

Leeds Utd v Harrogate Town
FA Cup Third Round | Elland Road | Saturday 11th January 2025 5:45pm


Daniel Farke will likely seize the opportunity presented by Harrogate Town's visit to rest key players when the two sides collide at Saturday teatime in the FA Cup third round. Farke's primary objective this season is promotion back to the top flight, making the FA Cup a potential distraction. With just three points separating first and fourth in the league, some fans might even view an early cup exit with a degree of acceptance. Though it would be nice to go on a cup run and Saturday's game gives us the perfect oportunity to get to the next round.

The gulf in league standing between the two sides cannot be ignored. Harrogate Town, languishing in the lower reaches of League Two, boast a squad valued at around £3 million. This could provide a golden opportunity to showcase some of the promising youngsters coming through the Elland Road ranks. Injuries will force some changes for Leeds, with Patrick Bamford, Joel Piroe, Max Wöber, and Pascal Struijk among those sidelined. However, Junior Firpo and Illia Gruev's return to training this week is a boost, while Karl Darlow will replace Illan Meslier in goal as part of a planned rotation. Young talents like Mateo Joseph, Joe Gelhardt, and James Debayo are expected to feature prominently.




Leeds United head into the match facing some key challenges, as highlighted by Daniel Farke in his pre-match press conference. Patrick Bamford’s hamstring injury will keep him out for at least four weeks, while Joel Piroe and Max Wöber are being rested as a precaution. Despite the setbacks, Farke emphasized the squad’s depth, with several attacking options ready to step up. Meanwhile, Illan Meslier, coming off a poor performance against Hull City, has received backing from his manager, who praised the young goalkeeper's work ethic and contributions this season.

Farke also addressed the January transfer window, predicting minimal activity for Leeds. With injured players returning and the squad in a strong position at the top of the league, maintaining team harmony is a priority. However, loan moves for younger players like Joe Gelhardt remain a possibility. As Leeds prepare for the clash against Harrogate, the focus is on balancing squad rotation and building momentum while navigating the busy league schedule.



Stream games in safety! Get NordVPN with up to 71% off + 3 months free...

[1964white]

Boss Daniel Farke has held his press conference ahead of Saturday's first competitive fixture between Leeds United and Harrogate Town.

The Yorkshire clubs meet in the FA Cup third round (17:45 GMT) and the German discussed a number of topics, here's a recap of the main points...

Karl Darlow will start in goal after Illan Meslier's poor showing at Hull City. Farke gave a long answer on how he has dealt with Meslier and on his role in conceding at the MKM Stadium, but emphasised how highly regarded the 24-year-old is.

Striker Patrick Bamford is out for four weeks with a hamstring injury. He may be back in training by the end of the month. Fellow forward Joel Piroe is struggling and will not face Harrogate. Max Wober (knee) is the other major injury concern. Junior Firpo, Pascal Struijk and Illia Gruev are all making progress.

On the possibility of signing a striker, Farke said: "We have Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, perhaps even Willy Gnonto, but we're not in panic mode. I hope Patrick's rehab progresses well but he's been struggling with injuries over the season. We won't fall asleep until the end of January." He reiterated that he expects a "quiet" transfer window.

On the possibility of striker Joe Gelhardt going out on loan: "It's important for their development. Joffy is one of the candidates. Who will go out, we will take the decision in the upcoming days, what is beneficial for us, not for other clubs." Farke added that Gelhardt is fine to speak to other clubs if he feels game time elsewhere may be beneficial but he, "hasn't made a decision yet".

On League Two opponents Harrogate Town: "In the cup competition, everything is possible. We see many upsets and surprising results. You never take it for granted the favourite goes through. They will make it difficult, defend for their lives, cause problems on counter-attack. If we start like we did v Hull, it's difficult to go into the next round.

In terms of his attitude to team selection for the cup tie, he added: "We will rotate a bit more than for a league game but we want to go through... We need to find a balance not to risk injured players but have a strong starting line-up on the pitch."

[Cjay]

Bamford blow

Sadly I have to confirm it is more of a serious injury for Bamford. It is a hamstring injury and he will be out for more or less four weeks, but it could be longer. There is a small chance he is back by the end of January.



Team news

Joel Piroe is struggling with muscular problems so we won't risk him at the weekend. Junior Firpo is back in team training which is a big boost for us, Illia Gruev is back in train. I have just two concerns at the minute, Patrick Bamford and the secon is an ongoing knee problem for Max Wober who was unable to train this week. He struggles with his knee.



Chances of loans in or out

Younger players for their development it makes sense to send them out on loan, we will assess the rehab of Patrick and how that progresses, but overall we are in a very good position and I expect a very quiet January



Striker options

We have Piroe, Joseph, young prospects and Gnonto could play striker. We are not in panic mode.



Meslier talks

After such a gme you leave the player alone for a few days to suffer a little bit and get on with teh situation, but we had a chat also, especially about the second goal.

Karl will play this FA Cup game, but we always planned that. It is good for him (Meslier) to recharge, while Karl needs a game and this was always the plan.




Meslier form

Overall it was a poor performance from him (against Hull). There were some games when he could and should hve done better this season.

there were one or two strikes during teh season when a player of his calibre should have done better. he has had many good games and clean sheets, but must sure more consistency. There are one or two gmes where he could have done better.

But let's not forget we have a 24-year-old young man, who is self critical and who was pretty disappointed with his performance.




Farke on Meslier criticism

We were all angry after the last game. Our supporters have the right to be critical, there is pressure and that is normal we have to accept that. But some pundits and comments were pretty disrespectful.

The outside world love to try and divide us, but we are close together and we back our players.

We were not happy with the last game, we want to improve his consistency and it is important to address this, but his prformances have been good enough to make sure we are top of the league. We are all convinced Illan will deliver more godo moments for us and we back him, there is no panic and he is a very, very good goalkeeper.




Gelhardt future

I won't do any name dropping today. Joffy is a candidate as he hasn't played that much, but who goes out we will make some decisions that are benefiocial for us in the coming weeks. You can maybe expect one or two younger players to go out on loan, that makes sense and we'll make a decision in the coming days.



Why a quiet January?

Several of the long term injurd players are back. Firpo is back, Illia looks good in training. option ar egood to have, but if you have too many and the group is too big it can divide the group. We have a perfect unity and this is why we are the team that has won more points, we don't want to risk that spirit in the group.

That spirit is more important in the crunch time and as things stand we are the best team in the league at the top. If there is a new injury we will change our plans, but at the moment we expect a quiet January.



Farke on if right man comes

If you offer me Jude Bellingham tomorrow, or Virgil Van Dijk wants to come to us then I would explore it, but you don't get offere those type of players. If there are one or two positions when we are weak then it is important to stay awake to it and spend some money.

It is difficult to improve our squad right now. If there is a bargain, then we will stay awake to that. The ownership trust me and that is why I am signed as manager.



More on Gelhardt

I have an open relationship with him and have made it clear I rate him. It's tough on him as he is a top character who has his qualities, it is just a competition thing. I have prefgered to stick with Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph. It is tough for him as he works his socks off in every training session.

He knows I trust him. His behaviour is unbelievable.

[1964white]

Karl Darlow would have started against Harrogate anyway. Nothing to do with Meslier's poor showing at Hull.

The Owls game will be telling.

[Cjay]

Why a quiet January?

Several of the long term injurd players are back. Firpo is back, Illia looks good in training. option ar egood to have, but if you have too many and the group is too big it can divide the group. We have a perfect unity and this is why we are the team that has won more points, we don't want to risk that spirit in the group.

That spirit is more important in the crunch time and as things stand we are the best team in the league at the top. If there is a new injury we will change our plans, but at the moment we expect a quiet January

Sheffield United have won more points, just had a points deduction unrelated to this season . . . .

They are looking to buy multiple players

[1964white]

When has Farke played Gnonto as a striker?

If it comes to that scenario, it would seem we are back to square pegs in round holes.

If Piroe's injury becomes long term, we have two strikers crocked & one who can't score goals.

[1964white]

"We won't fall asleep until the end of January." He reiterated that he expects a "quiet" transfer window"

Sounds contradictory!

[Cjay]

"We won't fall asleep until the end of January." He reiterated that he expects a "quiet" transfer window"

Sounds contradictory!

Daniel Farke saying something contradictory

200w-22.gif (463.27 KiB) Viewed 5286 times

[1964white]

Sheffield United have won more points, just had a points deduction unrelated to this season . . . .

They are looking to buy multiple players

To be fair, their hand is forced into making signings due to the loss of Alblaster & Souttar, plus one or two others on the sidelines. Even Hamer & Souza could be unavailable until late January.

[Cjay]

To be fair, their hand is forced into making signings due to the loss of Alblaster & Souttar, plus one or two others on the sidelines. Even Hamer & Souza could be unavailable until late January.

True but Wilder was saying months ago they needed 2 or 3 in atleast (was when talking about the takeover in October/November).

That was before Souttar and them got injured (just Arblaster I think).

We on the other hand have multiple players who are now or have been frequently injured in the past.

Struijk
Firpo
Byram
Bogle
Wober
Bamford
Gruev
Solomon
James
Ampadu

Not a hint of a plan beyond fingers crossed.

Shouldn't just be about injuries, how about loss of form? We saw that with Summerville and Rutter last season.

[1964white]

Meslier form

Overall it was a poor performance from him (against Hull). There were some games when he could and should hve done better this season.

there were one or two strikes during teh season when a player of his calibre should have done better. he has had many good games and clean sheets, but must sure more consistency. There are one or two gmes where he could have done better.

But let's not forget we have a 24-year-old young man, who is self critical and who was pretty disappointed with his performance

And let's not forget Meslier could cost you your job, Daniel, as he flies off to France in the summer!

[1964white]

True but Wilder was saying months ago they needed 2 or 3 in atleast (was when talking about the takeover in October/November).

That was before Souttar and them got injured (just Arblaster I think).

We on the other hand have multiple players who are now or have been frequently injured in the past.

Struijk
Firpo
Byram
Bogle
Wober
Bamford
Gruev
Solomon
James
Ampadu

Not a hint of a plan beyond fingers crossed.

Shouldn't just be about injuries, how about loss of form? We saw that with Summerville and Rutter last season,

And as we discuss our squad, the likes of Bamford, Gelhardt & possibly Schmidt are unlikely to feature much, as is the case with Debayo & Crew too.

So we have a squad of 20 players with at least four glaring holes in it should Piroe, Firpo, Aaronson or one of our main CB's are injured, then we return to square holes in round holes

[Johnthewhite]

And let's not forget Meslier could cost you your job, Daniel, as he flies off to France in the summer!

Yes
Very good point, extremely naive by Farke if he ignores this issue.
Head in sand for me

[andrewjohnsmith]

"We won't fall asleep until the end of January." He reiterated that he expects a "quiet" transfer window"

Sounds contradictory!

I'm quite capable of staying awake while it's quiet

[andrewjohnsmith]

Farke definitely doesn't fancy Gelhardt. Why wouldn't he be talking him up for the Harrogate game? Give him a chance. Instead, Bamford gets injured, Farke mentions alternate attacking options and Joffy isn't one of them. "He's free to talk to anyone." Unless someone else is coming in at 9 or 10, I'd think it would be essential to get what you can out of Joffy right now.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I'd like to think we'll be using the Harrogate game to give some fringe players a chance. I think opportunities will be dictated by injuries and which first team players most need a rest.

[Tom the Cat]

Farke definitely doesn't fancy Gelhardt. Why wouldn't he be talking him up for the Harrogate game? Give him a chance. Instead, Bamford gets injured, Farke mentions alternate attacking options and Joffy isn't one of them. "He's free to talk to anyone." Unless someone else is coming in at 9 or 10, I'd think it would be essential to get what you can out of Joffy right now.

The fact that Bamford is injured yet again is, or should be a blessing, giving Farke a great opportunity to try Gelhardt rather than a guy who cannot hit the barn let alone a barn door.

[pjm2019]

is Gelhardt fit ? i thought i read somewhere he was suffering from some injury

[marie67]

I think Charlie Crew will be one to go out on loan as with the returning Gruev we have strength in depth in midfield and he's unlikely to see much game time.

Whatever the circumstances Farke has rarely played Joffy and i think he'll either leave or go out on loan regardless of injuries.

[marie67]

is Gelhardt fit ? i thought i read somewhere he was suffering from some injury

I think Farke did mention that he is not fit for the harrogate game