Leeds United head to down to Molineux on Saturday with a clear objective: to create chances in the final third, and find the back of the net - something they haven't achieved in open play so far this season. Stats show they have averaged two shots on target per game, but have hope, as they face a Wolves side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, without a point.
Willy Gnonto has been ruled out with a calf strain, while Dan James departed Fulham’s 1‑0 defeat clutching a muscle problem that will keep him on the sidelines for the next few games. Without a natural right winger, the gaffer may move Noah Okafor across, handing Jack Harrison his first league start of the season on the left flank, or opt for midfield back-up in the form of Brenden Aaronsson - like he did last week at Fulham.
Compounding the woes is the unavailability of first‑choice goalkeeper Lucas Perri, who is nursing a quad injury; opening the door for Carl Darlow once again. Ao Tanaka – who was an unused substitute at Craven Cottage – and Dutch forward Joel Piroe have been named as possible starters. Piroe’s omission from the Fulham matchday squad, when Farke opted to give Dominic Calvert‑Lewin his inaugural Premier League start, underscores the manager’s desperation to inject fresh potency up front.
Leeds have amassed four points from four fixtures, a record that will be swallowed whole if they fail to secure at least a point at Wolves. The Midlands outfit, sit at the bottom of the Premier League without a single point, and their own morale will be fragile. A win for Leeds would not only widen the gap between themselves and the bottom three, but also provide a rare boost of confidence for a squad that has struggled for creativity.
As for Wolves, Javi Pereira will once again be without star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who remains sidelined by a lingering Achilles issue. Experienced shot stopper José Sa could return between the sticks after recoving from illness. Dutch centre-back Ki‑Jana Hoever has been out for several weeks with a muscle injury, and may have to settle for a place on the bench. Hugo Bueno impressed at right wing‑back, yet newly signed Jackson Tchatchoua is already in contention for a starting berth.
Q: Team news – how are Dan James and Willy Gnonto? Farke: Dan James is a major doubt. He came back from international duty and felt something in his core muscles. He could train on Tuesday, but he felt it again yesterday, so he’s a big doubt for the weekend. Willy Gnonto is also a doubt with some problems in his calf. He will be a late call. We’ll wait and see.
Q: Do you have enough firepower in attack?
Farke: First of all, we have to stay calm and keep the right perspective. We are newly promoted. The first topic was to be solid defensively, and I think we are. We have two clean sheets already, and it should have been three. Against Fulham, we conceded an own goal, and in the statistics, it looks like we have conceded three goals, but we are quite solid.
In terms of expected goals, we are not top of the table, but in terms of chance creation, we are not far away. Against Everton we created enough to score three goals, the same against Newcastle. Against Fulham, we had enough to win the game. The problem is we are not efficient enough, and that is why we need to improve. We need to add more cutting edge, more clarity in decision-making, and more quality in the final third.
The reality is that in order to win games at this level, you need to be really good in both boxes. The defensive work is fine, the structure is fine, but in terms of efficiency in the final third, we are not there yet. We need to improve that.
Q: Wolves have struggled – is this a good opportunity?
Farke: It’s always difficult. Wolves have been established at this level for many years. They have many players with Premier League experience, and their start has not been perfect. That makes them even more motivated. They want to respond in front of their home supporters.
We are underdogs. We know that, but we don’t go there with fear. We go there with humility and respect, but also with confidence. We know if we bring everything on the pitch, we can win points even in such away games.
Q: How are you sleeping after the start to the season?
Farke: I sleep quite well. I don’t worry too much. I try to analyse the performances, and I see a lot of positives. We have four points, and yes, it could have been six or seven, but it could also have been two. We take it as it is.
We know that we are on a journey. We don’t expect to win every game at this level, but we want to win as many as possible. The key is not to panic. It’s to stay balanced, to work on our weaknesses, and to make sure that in the end we have enough points to stay in this league.
Q: Harry Gray scored a hat-trick for the U21s – is he close to the first team?
Farke: I am very happy for him. He is doing really well. But I don’t want to create too much pressure or expectation. He is still very young. He needs training with the first team, he needs rhythm with the U21s, and he needs time and peace to grow.
We have shown here that we trust young players. Archie Gray is playing regularly. At Norwich, I also worked with Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis, Todd Cantwell, Ben Godfrey. But every player has his own path. For Harry, it’s important to keep his feet on the ground, keep working, and his time will come.
Q: Alfie Cresswell has signed a new deal – what’s your view?
Farke: I am very pleased. He is a brilliant character, very professional, and he is flexible as a defender. He can play different positions. Right now, he is still mainly with the U21s, but the new contract shows how much we believe in his potential. It’s a reward for his hard work, and it’s also a commitment from the club. It’s good news for him and for us.
Q: Do you believe in luck in football?
Farke: In the long term, no. You get what you deserve through hard work. In the short term, yes. Football is sometimes cruel. Small margins decide games. A deflected ball, a missed chance, a referee’s decision – it can change everything.
Against Fulham, for example, if their own goal doesn’t happen, we win 1–0. Then the narrative is different. Over the course of a season, these things balance out. That’s why we don’t speak too much about luck. If we are not efficient, we have to create more chances. That is the only solution.
Q: Is Jack Harrison close to starting?
Farke: Jack is working hard. He is close to the starting XI, but he is not there yet. He is pushing, and he has the quality to help us. We know about his history at Molineux, that he has scored there before with Everton, but that is a coincidence. We don’t select players because of that. We select based on what we see in training and what the team needs.
Q: Brenden Aaronson has been criticised – what’s your response?
Farke: I think it has been too harsh. He works unbelievably hard. He runs, he covers a lot of ground, he is very disciplined defensively. That is important for us.
But to take the next step, he needs to add more creativity and more clarity in the final third. That’s the difference at this level. He knows this, and he is working on it. He is in competition for a starting place, and that competition is good. It pushes everyone. I have no doubt that he will keep improving.
Q: Should midfielders be scoring more goals?
Farke: Yes, definitely. It’s not just about the strikers. Players like Stark, Longstaff, Ilia – they all need to take responsibility and contribute. Defenders and full-backs can also help with goals, especially from set-pieces. In modern football, goals have to come from all areas of the pitch. We’ll keep encouraging them to make the right runs and to finish when the chances are there.
Q: Ethan Ampadu has a long throw – is that part of your plan?
Farke: We discovered it when he signed, and of course it is a useful tool. Long throws are back in fashion, and sometimes they can decide games. It’s not something we will build our game around, but it’s good to have this weapon in our armoury. We’ll use it when it makes sense.
Q: You said not to expect miracles – was that psychology?
Farke: No, it was honesty. I don’t play psychological games. I want to back my players, but I also have to be realistic. If I say everything is perfect, I lose credibility. If I am too negative, I take away belief.
So I try to find the right balance. We have improved a lot already, but we still have work to do. I am honest with the supporters and with the players. That is the only way to keep progressing.
The Subhuman wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 5:18 pm
I don't think James and Gnonto being injured affects the starting 11, I think this was always the probable team
andrewjohnsmith wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 8:04 pm
Same as Fulham?
Makes sense since we almost did the job there and Wolves aren't as good
Hoping Gnonto is good to start ahead of Aaronson as he gives us quite a bit more fire in attack
Aaronson created one chance for Calvert-Lewin & had a shot saved by Leno, out of the three opportunities we had at Fulham.
Aaronson also defended from the front, assisting Bogle stemming the attacking qualities of Iwobi & Sessegnon on our right flank. All went to pot after Brenden was subbed.
Wolves will have Jorgen Strand Larsen in their squad to face Leeds United this weekend.
The striker, who was the subject of transfer speculation linking him with Newcastle late in the window, has missed the last two Premier League games through injury.
Pereira said: "He was training yesterday. I hope tomorrow he can help us not for 90 minutes but for a period of the game."
"It's very important, If we want to increase our level we need this kind of player. He's very important for us, and it's good news for us"
