AdminLeeds United manager Daniel Farke expressed his frustration at the early kickoff time against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, especially considering the busy schedule of three games in six days for his team. The match was moved to a 1.30pm kickoff instead of the usual 3pm start due to intervention from Lancashire Police, disrupting Leeds’ routine and preparation for the game.
Following Sunderland’s loss to Sheffield United, Leeds missed the opportunity to gain ground on their promotion rivals and slipped to third place in the Championship table after briefly holding the top spot. The game at Ewood Park saw Blackburn secure a narrow 1-0 win over Leeds, with Todd Cantwell’s 22nd-minute penalty proving to be the decisive moment.
The outcome was particularly positive for Sunderland, who managed to stay just two points behind Leeds despite their own winless run stretching to six games. With Burnley now occupying the second automatic promotion spot after a victory against Stoke City, the pressure is mounting on Leeds to maintain their position in the top spots and secure promotion to the Premier League.
Reflecting on the game and the demanding schedule, Farke admitted that his team started slowly, giving away unnecessary free-kicks and fouls, which ultimately led to the decisive penalty. While he acknowledged the slow start, Farke refrained from being overly critical, opting to describe the performance as lacking in intensity rather than laziness.
Despite the setback, Farke remains focused on improving the team’s performance in the upcoming fixtures and ensuring that Leeds bounce back from the defeat at Ewood Park. The manager will be looking to address the slow starts and defensive lapses that cost his team points, as they aim to secure promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season.
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