LEEDS UNITED manager Daniel Farke has called on one of the most ardent fanbases in the world to transform Elland Road into a rowdy bear pit during three ‘cup finals’ on home turf in the remainder of 2023-24, beginning against Sunderland on Tuesday night.
This season, visiting clubs have struggled at United’s stadium, with promotion-chasing Leeds United holding the only unblemished record in front of their own fans in the Championship.
Farke’s team will need to win their remaining fixtures against Wearsiders, Blackburn Rovers, and final-day opponents Southampton to stay in the top two in the season-long race.
Leeds have won 16 of their 20 home matches, with just Cardiff City, West Brom, Sheffield Wednesday, and Coventry City taking anything away from Elland Road. Farke’s team has an impressive nine-match winning streak. The winning league streak dates back to December 16.
Farke stated, “If we win our home games and grind out a decent result on the road, then happy days and we will finish in the top places, allowing us to talk about automatic promotion.
“If I can give one message, it’s that if we want something to cheer about at the end of the season, let’s play these last three home games like cup finals and have the best possible atmosphere ever.
“If our supporters truly want to celebrate with us at the end of the season, make sure – if possible – that you carry us through the difficult phases of the game.
“It is up to us to deliver on the pitch. But if you want to rejoice together, let’s make sure we win our home games.
“I am quite sure that if we do this, then we have a great chance to finish in a position where we want to.”
Leeds face Sunderland, whose form is among the worst in the division in 2024.
The Wearsiders, who have fired two head coaches this season, have won just one of their previous ten games and appear to be a pale shadow of the team who advanced to the play-offs in thrilling manner in 2022-23.
However, they did defeat Leeds in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light, and Farke is skeptical of claims that Sunderland are simply marking out time for the rest of the season.
He went on to say, “There’s ‘nothing to play for’, but this industry is relative.
“Each and every point is crucial, and it speaks volumes about this club’s ambition that they have had multiple management changes when they were never in danger of being in the worst position (relegation zone), I believe.
“The fact that they had their first change of management while they were in the play-offs or near to it demonstrates their ambition and desired finish.
However, they defeated Leeds in the rematch at the Stadium of Light, and Farke is wary of assertions that Sunderland are simply preparing for the remainder of the season.
He went on to explain, “There’s ‘nothing to play for’, yet everything is relative in this industry.
“Each and every point is critical, and I believe it tells much about this club’s desire that they have had many management changes despite never being in the worst place (relegation zone).
“The fact that their first change of management occurred while they were in or near the play-offs illustrates their ambition and desired outcome.
“This will be a huge motivation for everyone. It is also a club with ambitions, and you cannot afford to say, ‘No, we have nothing to play for.’ You always play with pride for the fans and the club.
“They also play without having much to lose and under less pressure.”
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