Leeds United secured a 1-0 win over Norwich City on Wednesday night but it came at a potential cost with Archie Gray and Dan James suffering injury. Daniel Farke had a message for the board.
Patrick Bamford‘s return to form continued, as the striker scored again – his fourth goal in five starts in a row. Farke kept faith with the one-time England man over Joel Piroe despite Piroe’s winner on Sunday.
A massive win. Leeds close the gap on second-placed Ipswich to just two points, having now played a game extra going into this weekend’s outing against Plymouth in the fourth round of The FA Cup.
But with James and potentially Gray – the latter of which Farke said he was immediately ‘concerned’ by after taking him off in injury time – both out, Leeds’ depth is being tested. Pascal Struijk is missing.
Willy Gnonto was close to a return and is likely to play some part on Saturday. With just over a week left in the January window, Leeds are yet to move. But Farke is clear that he wants some new additions.
In what was maybe a thinly-veiled message to the Leeds board, he underlined that he knows it is “busy” in January – before reiterating that his squad is “small”. Leeds need additions in the defensive line.
“I know January is busy. Our squad is small at the moment. James and Gray struggling today added to other injuries,” Farke said about his squad in his post-match press conference, as per Leeds Live.
Daniel Farke has message for Leeds board after two more injuries
Leeds need additions, now more than ever. If we are to keep this pressure on Ipswich and Southampton up, then more depth is required. Gray cannot keep playing 90 minutes week in, week out, at just 17.
He needs top-quality competition and back-up – no disrespect to Jamie Shackleton. A good player, but not one that Leeds can rely on from the start. Leeds need a Championship proven right-sided defender.
Maybe, a centre-back, and possibly a left-back. One or two players that can fill these voids. Judging by James’ injury, and that Gnonto is struggling for form – perhaps, another addition in the final third.
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