Leeds United manager Daniel Farke can take a lesson from the past as he prepares his side for their tricky Premier League clash with Sunderland.
Daniel Farke is looking to continue his good run of form against Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris when his side travel to Wearside in their next top-flight fixture.
Leeds are riding a wave of momentum in the Premier League, having taken eight points from their last four games, culminating in the 4-1 demolition of Crystal Palace.
The Whites travelled to the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day in 2002, when Terry Venables was navigating the final months of the Peter Ridsdale era.
Venables pulled a rabbit from the hat on that occasion, which Farke should not be afraid to repeat as he looks to continue Leeds’ recent upturn in results.
Would you make any changes for Sunderland? 🤔
James Milner made Premier League history with Leeds United in 2002
Leeds occupied familiar territory when they travelled to the North East in December 2002, as they sat 16th in the Premier League table, the same position occupied by Farke’s side.
Farke would gladly accept the result his predecessor achieved 23 years ago, as a new Leeds hero emerged in the form of James Milner.
Sunderland took the lead in the first half, as a Michael Proctor header beat goalkeeper Paul Robinson, finding the net via the crossbar.
But Milner pulled Leeds level with a moment of Premier League history, as he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the competition at that time, at 16 years and 356 days old, when he scored to pull Leeds level.
£40m for Harry Gray is hard to ignore for Leeds… right?
He's only played once at senior level!
Robbie Fowler scored the winner for Leeds from the penalty spot, as he converted from 12 yards after Proctor brought Harry Kewell down. 23 years later, Farke can repeat the trick with his own unknown quantity.
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Milner showed that age is no barrier with his goal against Sunderland, and he scored an even better one a few days later as Leeds beat Chelsea at Elland Road.
Farke has his own prodigiously talented youngster waiting in the wings, as Harry Gray continues his wait for a first Premier League start.
Gray made his full Leeds debut at the end of last season in the Championship and is reportedly on the radar of Manchester City, who could be willing to pay £40 million for the Leeds youngster.
However, Leeds can offer Gray something that Man City can’t – a path into the first team at a young age. The example of Milner’s success 23 years ago shows that Farke should not be afraid to unleash Gray when the time is right.
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