QPR vs Leeds United: Daniel Farke reveals fresh Dan James update as Joe Rodon injury question answered

I was convinced of the character a few days after I arrived and then when we had the group together after the August window had closed. I got used to every player and saw what they do on the pitch but also thought, we have many young players in key positions and we have to work with them on their tactical behaviour, football skills and develop their personality. Thank God we have two or three experienced lads in the dressing room, but we have to work on the soft skills, mental side and winning mentality. There’s no guarantee how quick you can develop it, the longer the season goes the more trust I have in them. It’s a good sign when you are there in games, spotlight games and you are capable to win these. We’ve won both against Ipswich and Leicester, big pressure away at Boro, able to be there when it really counts and this is normally a sign of winning mentality and this is why this group develops in the right direction and which mental status we want them. Still a bit work to do to show this always with consistency but the general picture we have 90 points after 44 game days, can’t complain too much about consistency or we wouldn’t be there. We’re on a good path.

We have to because what we can’t influence, for example fixture list decisions, this won’t help us. It’s important we are behind the scenes, speak with key people about these topics. In the sense of the football game it should be fair play, equal and everyone has the same chance. These decisions are not in the sense of the game, to have a break between gameday 43 and 44 for ten days of Ipswich two weeks. Then you play a lot of games in a short period of time. We want all the best players available to entertain the supporters. It makes no sense to complain or feel sorry, we adapt to the situation. We can’t use it to our advantage if a player is not available but we will try to use it as extra motivation.

If we win, yes. Overall I have to say, the schedule, we’re not blessed if I’m honest. We have right now lots of load. It’s the same for Ipswich, three games in seven days after two weeks without a game. This was due to the cup run of Coventry and there was no other chance to play this fixture. We took the decision earlier when we had a cup run, to place this game against Norwich in the middle of the week, we accept this to have three normal weeks at the end of the season. We head into the end of the season and what happens, we have ten days off, they postpone our game to Monday, then two away games in four days, no one can explain me why. There was no Monday kick-off in the whole season. We were expecting to play Friday evening and then again Friday evening vs QPR. Why it was Monday, it affects availability, quick turnaround in terms of recovery, the first time in the 44th and 45th game day, it’s hard to explain but I’ve learned to adapt to the reality. This quick turnaround affects the availability of one or two players, but not that we can’t play with full energy. We don’t use it as an excuse. What happens during this season in terms of fixtures, it’s at least hard to explain if I put it in gentle words. This is what this club is all about, we never do it the easy way.

What this league is all about, momentum can change pretty quickly. Leeds United the most emotional club in the world probably. Also for the dressing room there’s no replacement for this winning feeling. Win was beneficial for the table and our confidence. In 2024 we’ve won by far the most points, but one unlucky result makes a difference even a few per cent with your self-confidence. Scoring four goals was important after not scoring, bringing a tight lead over the line, resilience, clearances from full-backs, Joe Rodon, Illan after one or two avoidable goals, last minute important save from Jonny Howson, kept the ball didn’t give a chance for a rebound. It’s good to show a reaction.

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 M’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.

One of Archie’s big strengths is he can cover lots of distance, his intensity is very beneficial, attack the channel and surprisingly join the attack and bring himself into dangerous positions. We’re lacking a bit this goal threat from midfield positions. He’s just 18 and needs to find a good feeling for the balance. He was sometimes in too advanced a position [vs Boro] to have a good structure for our build-up, to control the counter attack. We spoke about a few things, I think he was important for our strength in midfield, that we win many duels, cover distance, joins attack but also a feeling for the position, to calm himself down, to join the attack, be a bit patient and this will come with experience. He has to adapt to this midfield role but he’s a smart, intelligent boy.

They are in a situation they have more or less confirmed they’ll stay in the league but theoretically could still be in danger. One more point would be beneficial for them. They play this game in a good mood, can play with confidence and are a brave side anyway. Not a typical side fighting relegation sitting deep and waiting for set pieces, they have some creative and technical players, expect a tough task.

I think it’s also important to enjoy the moment a little bit [if we win v QPR]. Especially after an unlucky week, it’s never easy to win the momentum back. To do this in such a difficult game on the road, we were proud. If you don’t enjoy this, you will ask yourself why I’m doing all this disciplined hard work. Important to enjoy but not over the moon. The turnaround is quick and we want to deliver tomorrow. I allow myself to be happy for a few minutes then concentrate on giving the right messages after the game to make sure we’re ready for tomorrow.

If you want to change the approach during such an important game you have to believe in your players. We’re working on these topics on the training pitch, we can play different setups, the players know what we have to do, if we switch from man-orientated to a bit more zonal, a bit more concentrated, sit slightly deeper or the other way round. It’s not that easy to change the approach during the game, there’s lots of noise in the stadium, but we’ve also worked on the training pitch and in the meeting room a lot, the players understand what we want. I put my faith in them, I wouldn’t overload them if we hadn’t worked on it. Hard work on the training pitch is always the answer. Doesn’t always work out in the perfect way but I’m confident we will be able to manage it.

It’s always important to be ourselves on the pitch. You have to be brave and stick to your beliefs. QPR, they play as a side not like normally a team in this position fighting relegation, really good possession side, spend lots of time on their build-up, not easy to press them, make sure you’re dominant, you have to be brave. We have to play with a compact setup in their half, have to be brave to be successful. There are some necessities, for example against M’boro, to play more pragmatic and grind out a result. Our DNA is to attack games, this is what we want to do.