Daniel Farke spoke to the press earlier today ahead of Leeds United’s trip to Queens Park Rangers tomorrow night.
The Whites will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in the space of just a few days having got their automatic promotion push back on track with a 4-3 victory at Middlesbrough on Monday.
Due to Sky Sports’ TV selections, Leeds have a considerably shorter turnaround for this match than they should have done, a decision pundit Jon Newsome has branded as ‘disgusting’.
Amid the late recovery time, Farke admitted late decisions will have to be made on a couple of players, while also joking Sam Byram has been in an ice bath for the last 48 hours. Dan James is ruled out.
With that said, three points in the capital would then place enormous pressure on Ipswich Town heading into their two games in hand at Hull and Coventry City. They would be four behind and in need of wins in both to put second place in their hands heading into the final day.
Farke says big leader Patrick Bamford might not start for Leeds vs QPR
One player Farke confirmed is a major doubt heading into the game is Patrick Bamford, who is said to have picked up a big bruise on his knee at the Riverside.
His absence would come at the worst possible time for Leeds having finally justified Farke’s unrelenting faith in him with his performance against his former club.
Farke has backed him publicly on multiple occasions recently and in his pre-match press conference, again spoke of the leadership he brings to that youthful Leeds attack.
Despite the praise, though, Farke says Bamford may not be fit enough to start the game as a result of the knock he is currently suffering with.
He said: “I trust all my players, whoever is on the pitch will have full trust and backing. Obviously a big miss if Patrick actually misses this game, we have to adapt to the fixture list and situation.
“He’s important for us his goals and natural instinct where to be, his goal at Boro was a typical striker goal. Not an easy goal, to have the body balance, you need to have this natural striker instinct, this is what Patrick has.
“He’s crucial in our pressing and workload, linking play, holding the ball and his experience. He was in similar situations, played together, the offense was Gnonto 20, Rutter 22, Summerville 22 – Bamford is important as he calms the lads down but can also fire them up, you need experience in this role.
“We adapt to the reality, perhaps not available to start the game and then we find some other solutions and give all the backing and trust to the other players.”
Who could replace Bamford against QPR?
As mentioned, losing the £7m man would be a blow at this stage of the season, as he has only just recaptured his form after a dry spell.
Farke has both Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph in reserve pushing to come in if Bamford does not make it. It would not be a surprise if the former got the nod, even if he was ineffective on his last start against Blackburn Rovers.
With Farke citing Leeds’ inexperience in the forward line, it just feels highly unlikely Farke would add to that at crunch time in 20-year-old Joseph, whether rightly or wrongly.