Daniel Farke has dropped a key hint at Leeds United about the key change he will make at Southampton
Fatigue caught up with Luke Ayling on Saturday as his third game in six days finally forced Daniel Farke to withdraw him from the Leeds United squad for the first time in the league.
Regardless of Jamie Shackleton’s form, it is likely that the vice-captain will return for the trip to Southampton.
The 32-year-old once again stepped up to the plate following Liam Cooper’s absence and while his performance was far from perfect, it was clear how much Farke appreciated his qualities.
Sam Byram is the only player over the age of 30 to have started more than two league matches this season and he only turned 30 10 days ago, which tells its own story.
“Luke’s influence on the band was huge and you can’t overestimate it because it was so important,” Farke said.
“He’s obviously a good player, but also has leadership in the dressing room, passing on experience, making sure everyone is sharp and aware.
“Before the match he talks a lot in the dressing room, which is quite important, calms the players down when needed, gives them a bit of confidence, sometimes an arm around the shoulder, but also at times a little stomp to throw them.
He’s incredibly important to the band and I’m glad we have him.
“We need him because we have a lot of young players and we also need experienced players with this character, who really live like a professional every day.
Even though he has participated in many matches, he is always present in every match, even if it is a friendly match, he is explosive and I like that spirit.
He brings that spirit into the dressing room.
Daniel Farke described the recently recovered Patrick Bamford as “invaluable” when asked about the striker at a press conference last week.
The Leeds United striker is set to return to action under Farke after spending the best part of two months on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury he picked up against Hearts in pre-season.
Saturday’s clash with Watford comes too soon for the former England international, but hopefully another week on the training ground can help Bamford qualify for their first game of the campaign against Southampton at the weekend This.
After a difficult period in the team last time out in the Premier League, Bamford is under pressure to excel in the Championship and Farke certainly believes he can make a difference.
“I think next week will be very beneficial because we have time on the training ground and I hope he will be back training next week,” Farke said of the experienced striker, who scored against Nottingham Forest pre-season.
“Obviously he needs game time to be at his best, but a fit Patrick Bamford, with his pace and confidence, is invaluable.
“The evidence is also in pre-season, I think he had some pretty impressive pre-season games and scored some really good goals.
The most important thing for him is his fitness, he has gained confidence through training as well as through matches and he has the rhythm that helps him score many goals, he has proven this That’s at this level.
With player sales worth £150m and a new coach having been appointed since mid-May, Southampton are tipped as the relegated team that can turn the tables on Leeds United this season.
Unfortunately for Russell Martin and the Saints, they are now waiting for the White Devils after four consecutive defeats and a record 19 goals conceded in the Championship.
Southampton have suffered Premier League defeats to the Whites or Leicester City and the narrative has been about how that could have been an advantage for them.
This allowed the club and its owners to enter the competition and begin preparations for second division football faster than their rivals.
The first reports that Martin’s move from Swansea City was a done deal emerged on May 19, more than a week before the end of the top-flight season.
Although he wasn’t confirmed for the role until June 22, it was an open secret that Martin was rearranging his team weeks before the announcement.