Daniel Farke – even as many at Leeds United threaten to lose their heads – has succeeded in keeping his in the midst of another spring-time unravelling at Elland Road.
Farke felt that, following Isaiah Jones’ early opener at Kenilworth Road, Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town was a ‘good point’ in the grand scheme of things.
Certainly not a view shared by many who made the long trip back up to West Yorkshire fearing – with no shortage of deja vu – a repeat of those torturous collapses of 2024 and 2019.
As the Kenilworth Road erupted in a chorus of Joy Division, that immortal re-structuring of that early-80s pop-rock classic was certainly not accompanied a smirking sense of sarcasm. Not this time. It was very much mocking, and very much in reference to Leeds United’s most untimely of slips.
But Farke, following an untimely run of one win in six games, remains as calm and as considered as ever. Looking to find the positives even when they look to be decidedly few and far between.
This is not to say, however, that the former Norwich City boss is afraid to speak his mind or to criticise what needs to be criticised. Largie Ramazani found that out the hard way as Farke took aim at the Belgian and his apparent lack of ‘maturity’.
His old Carrow Road charges felt the wrath of Farke too, on occasions. Take the 2-0 home defeat by Burnley in the COVID-delayed 2019/20 season, for instance.
An afternoon in which Burnley made history and Nick Pope – the England international goalkeeper is reportedly now on Leeds’ radar ahead of the summer transfer window – moved one step closer to a place in the Premier League history books.
Nick Pope helped make Burnley history as Daniel Farke fumed
Norwich were reduced to nine men even before Chris Wood gave Burnley the lead at Carrow Road.
Emi Buendia saw red – in every sense – when aiming an elbow into the back of Ashley Westwood’s head. Josip Drmic then made for a rather cramped bath when he was sent for an early soak himself shortly after following a reckless two-footed lunge.
So as Nick Pope added another clean sheet to his collection while closing in on the Premier League’s Golden Glove award, the now Leeds-linked shot-stopper could hardly have asked for an easier afternoon.
Pope would eventually finish joint-second in the standings, two behind Manchester City’s Ederson.
Though nothing would take away from a stunning season from a Burnley’s perspective. A top-half finish under Sean Dyche. And, while seeing off Farke’s soon-to-be-relegated Norwich side, the Clarets recorded 15 top flight wins for the first time in 45 years.
“Burnley reacted in a way that an experienced, established, smart Premier League side should react,” Farke fumed, his Norwich team lacking any semblance of the maturity displayed by their visitors.
“My players walked into this trap and there were two red cards which, of course, was crucial to the game. You have to call this situation naive, inexperienced, stupid and not professional. All the words fit.
“The players know what they have done for this team. The red cards are not a doubt.”
Leeds could replace Illan Meslier with Newcastle’s England international
Another thing ‘not in doubt’, is that Leeds United really could use a new goalkeeper this summer.
Five years on, as Farke’s chances of a third promotion out of the Championship diminish by the week, Illan Meslier saw his place taken by Karl Darlow after one mistake too many.
According to reports, Newcastle’s Nick Pope is an option, three years after he left Turf Moor for St James’ Park to the tune of £10 million.
The highly-experienced former Charlton ace helped Burnley break a near 50-year-old club record against Daniel Farke’s Norwich.
Now, with Leeds looking to upgrade Meslier with one of the most reliable net-guarders in recent Premier League history, Farke will be hoping to see Pope make history and put together a Golden Glove challenge between the sticks at his current employers five years on.,
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