Daniel Farke pre Leicester
Anthony is back in training and available for tomorrow. Karl is back in the main part of team training. Not far away. Some good news for him.
With Sam, I expect him to be back in training next week. Misses this game. Patrick has developed positively in the last few days, may not be realistic he's involved in this game, but who knows? Still 48 hours until this game. Not in team training yet. A topic for the squad perhaps. Will be available for next week, but tiny chance even sooner.
Pascal can extend his training load. Over the next two weeks he needs to build his load. If he's back in team training, I expect him to be available after the international break. Seems like it's not far away for him.
How do you use the momentum in other results?
We want to use our momentum. We have delivered consistency. How we defended. Just conceded one goal in this period 2024. Created many chances, scored many goals, won every league game, into the next round of the cup. Want to use this momentum. Every game has the same value. This is a spotlight game, but in 46 games you always have the chance to win three points.
We have a home game and we face the toughest opponent in this league, but so do Leicester. They know we are a good side. Big game for the outside world, the pundits, the media and our fans. For us, it's another chance to get more points.
Are you the best side in the league?
We have to wait until the end of the season to answer this. Leicester are top of the table right now and deserve that label. They are the most consistent team in that regard. We had a tough start, but are in a good rhythm now.
Pleased with closing the gap since New Year's Day?
I was never focused on the gap to Leicester. Even if we did win this game, they still have a great tally and everything in their own hands. That's not important. What I like is our consistency and level.
I am just focused on our tally and we want a special number of wins to finish in the next position. Thirteen more games.
How much does this make you feel more alive?
On the one hand, I judge it like one of 46 games. Same value like our last home game against Rotherham or last away game at Plymouth.
Important not to lose your calm and be over-motivated for such a game. On the other hand, I see it as the reason why we all started playing football. You wanted to prove yourself and challenge yourself against the best opponent. This is the best opponent we can face at Elland Road. We want to challenge ourselves and show we are capable to play at the same level or even better.
Do you trust your players to notice and adapt to tactical alterations?
I trust them and we prepare them for scenarios. Also, on the training pitch we want them to know what their opponent might do. Also important for me and our coaching staff to be spot on and focused on the base work, so they don't have to overthink too many things. I don't stand there on the sidelines with a coffee and wait. Important I stay focused and switched on to their changes to give hints. We are working in a way, because the players, in such an atmosphere. Loud and noisy I cannot tell them always to play this pass or that pass. I am responsible for this. Do not want to overload my players.
How to adapt to previous game vs Leicester?
Clean sheet and we were dominant there. Good pressing. Looked rock solid. We have to take into account they have changed their processes. Personnel terms some differences. Have to prepare each and every game in a different manner. Don't judge a chess game between managers.
Sometimes you can change too much and go too much away from your own set-up. A flag in the wind and you overload the players. Not a believer in this.
How much do teams care about the title in this league?
The basic target is winning promotion. Nice to lift silverware because it's a traditional league and a famous cup. Promotion or top of the league is the same and you are playing in the PL next year. Winning the title does not help in the following season.
I remember with Norwich it was 94 points, 100 goals, allowed to lift the trophy and then we went up. Then we decided to pay for the sins of the past and did not extend contracts or invest in the infrastructure. Did not help us in the next season. Villa used the play-offs to go back up. They had less points, but they spent £150m in the summer and £40m in the winter and could save their status on the last game day. They went up via the mplay-offs, but had a far better season than us in the PL.
The trophy is a treat.
Training ground atmosphere changes this time of year?
Yes, the closer you edge to crunch time the more you sense foc us on how can we finish and where will we finish. Important to allow this, but not being over the line, Still being focused on our principles and the content of what we have to do. Important to take extra motivation and extra focus due to this fact, but it's important not to be over excited or over motivated. Sometimes you can be over-excited and you burn too early from both sides of the candle and you do n