How Daniel Farke and Leeds United reacted to ‘difficult’ last-minute Junior Firpo ban

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Leeds United got back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon with something of a hard-fought 2-0 win over struggling QPR at Elland Road.

Jayden Bogle fired the hosts ahead on 19 minutes when he buried the ball home with his left foot after a scramble in the box, with fans having to wait until the 95th minute for the match to be settled when substitute Joel Piroe wrapped up the points.

The win has seen them move back into the Championship top two ahead of Sunday’s fixtures in the second tier, with the gap to leaders Sunderland now down to just two points after the Black Cats threw away a two-goal lead to draw against Coventry City.

Leeds’ preparations for the match were disrupted at the 11th hour when it was revealed that Junior Firpo had been retrospectively suspended for three matches for violent conduct in the closing stages of the midweek defeat to Millwall at The Den.

Daniel Farke on ‘challenging’ Junior Firpo suspension

Speaking after the win over QPR, boss Daniel Farke admitted that the timing of the ban was not ideal as he praised his side for being able to adapt on the fly.

“Decision came late last night, after our final session and after confirming the squad,” he said in his post-match press conference, as reported by LeedsLive. We are used to adapting to difficult situations.

“Strange situations in the Carabao, before the game, Georgi [Rutter] would be leaving us. They are professionals and adapted to this.”

Leeds United player ratings vs QPR:

Farke replaced Firpo with Sam Byram, who also deputised for the left-back in last month’s goalless draw at Bristol City after Firpo was given a one-match ban for acclimating five yellow cards. Byram was also called up on the other side to replace Bogle for the win over Plymouth Argyle last weekend.

The games Junior Firpo will miss

Leeds United now have a 15-day wait until their next fixture which is a trip to Swansea City after the November international break.

Firpo will miss that match, plus the following game which sees Leeds host a Luton Town side that lost 5-1 at Middlesbrough on Saturday. He will then be available for selection for the trip to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers on November 30.