Every word Daniel Farke said in pre-Stoke City press conference as Leeds United boss offers team news hints

Who knows? Perhaps we are back on the other side, more and more clubs playing with inverted fullbacks so maybe we need to go back to the other way around, to play with fullbacks who run down the flank and make many crosses. You always have to try and be ahead of the wave, because, I remember my starting days at Norwich or even a lower level in Germany, I played with inverted fullbacks. So my feeling is that it develops in a different direction for the managers who want to be ahead of the wave, so I don’t want to talk too much at what will happen in two or three years. We try to be ahead of the wave and not to copy someone. Obviously midfield players are quite often football intelligent players and capable to adapt to tactical necessities. For that, I think quite often midfielders can play different positions including fullback, but I wouldn’t speak too much about the general trend.

If I am honest, I think they are really outstanding during this season. Luke has played a lot, I think he was involved in each and every game and had many in the starting line-up, so we don’t have to discuss too much about him. Also for Liam, he started the first game, sacrificed his body scoring an important goal and was then out for several weeks. He came back in, had to play his first game after his injury coming in for 30 minutes to help us to a clean sheet, next game another clean sheet. Right now he has to accept, although he’s a natural born leader, he’s just substitute in the 90th minute. Quite often we need big personalities and leaders, yes, they’re also expecting they play more. Sometimes it could be a problem but how they handle the situation, perhaps they are not playing each and every second, but they know how much I value them. They both know how much I like them and due to the quality of our squad, also due to their age because they are not 25 anymore, this league is relentless and we play every three days, so they can’t play 46 games each and every second. So, to accept this, although you’re used to in your career to playing each and every second, sometimes it is not that easy. Especially leaders who are so important for the spirit in out group, sometimes it can be quite difficult, but for me they are outstanding. How much they push the whole group and how much they try to lift this team spirit and give the Leeds United feeling, they give everything for this club and for me they are already club legends. For doing this, for me they become even bigger club legends because when the sun is shining and you play each and every game, then it is quite easy to show great personality and be a leader. But sometimes when you have to accept that yes, it’s not so easy on a personal level, because yes they’d like to play each and every minute, but to think more about the club, more about the group, instead of just their individual minute tally, this is pure personality and quality and real leadership. This for me is outstanding. I’ve worked with many good characters and experienced players on this level, but what they both are doing for me, is second to none and I am struggling to find better characters and personalities I have worked with. This will also be crucial because we need them to be really like leaders and role models in this group, we have such a young group and we need their experience and quality. Perhaps they are not involved in each and every second of the game but this will be crucial if we can go on successful or not. They will both crucial if we are to have a successful season.

It’s difficult to compare. I don’t believe in passports, not as managers or players. They have different personalities and CV’s, also thoughts about football. For that, I can’t compare, I have never met him on a personal level so can’t judge his personality or the way he works. Obviously for each and every colleague, fingers are crossed, I hope he will do a really good job in a difficult situation. Sheffield Wednesday is a big club with decent players and all the potential to finish in a much better position than they are at the moment but I am far away from giving any hints. I spoke about, yes, my evaluation that the Premier League is the best league in the world but the Championship is definitely the toughest. Yes, the first season in charge on this level is always difficult and you have to learn a lot and develop pretty quick, so experience always helps. If you want to be there one day as an experienced coach, this is your first year and you have to go through it. Fingers are crossed for him and all that I’ve heard, he has a really good potential and hopefully he can bring this into the results.

First of all, we are not here in order just to make sure we develop Archie in a perfect position. Although we all love Archie and want to develop him and I have perhaps a reputation to bring young players though, the main target is we as Leeds United want to be successful. This is our only target and by doing this, if we can then develop and help our players, not just young but all the players in our squad, that is also quite beneficial. I also spoke before the last game about this topic, so I am not willing to rest Archie in order to have him fit for Under-19s games on international duty. No no, it’s his job, he is paid for this and we want him to deliver good performances. As long as he delivers good performances we are all happy. He’s capable to play on different positions because of his skills, that’s great and valued. He can play the fullback position, his natural position is the midfield position, but we will see how his position will develop over the next months and years. To play in a different position always helps, but it is not always a perfect solution for each and every player. I’m not sure if Diego Maradona, Paul Gascoigne or Zinedine Zidane, whether it would be beneficial to play them in the fullback position. But for Archie, it’s not a bad choice at times, but we don’t play him there to develop him. We got the feeling for these games we needed a player there who is capable to handle the pace, speed and mobility of the opponents wingers. Also to play a bit more inverted, like an additional midfield player. Thank god he repaid my trust and made some really good games. I think he was fantastic in the last home game and solid in the last away game, he was crucial on the second half and we’re all happy.

Yes, definitely. Georgi and Joel had the advantage they both had a pre-season. Georgi had a little injury but wasn’t out too long, he’s full of energy and he copes really well with the load, he’s in a good rhythm and this always helps, during international breaks we can calm down the load with him, I think it’s quite beneficial for him. Joel played pre-season and the first games, 90 minutes for Swansea, he’s in good shape and copes with the load quite well. Patrick was out for such a long time, eight weeks, we have to be a bit careful but we are happy we have Patrick back. I spoke about our goal tally, we are already on a really good path, we create chances. I’m also happy we have a proven goalscorer on this level with Bamford back. When I judge our offensive players in the last game, starting line-up, our oldest player in the middle was mid-20s. Substitute was Willy Gnonto, Jaidon Anthony, really young age. Patrick’s a senior figure and good to have him around, such a good teammate, especially with my offensive options, I don’t think they are selfish and thinking about their goal records. During the game they are helping and discussing. The way he plays he is different to Joel and Georgi. It’s always good to have options to react during the game, the same like with Ilia. Patrick has also shown in his cameos he can change a game and that’s beneficial for our game. Good to have him back to full fitness pretty soon and he will be able to play many minutes for us.