Daniel Farke held a press conference at Thorp Arch this afternoon, looking ahead to Saturday’s match against Middlesbrough.
Daniel Farke held a press conference at Thorp Arch this afternoon, looking ahead to Saturday’s match against Middlesbrough. It had been two days since the Whites’ comfortable 3-1 Championship win over Swansea City at Elland Road, with goals from Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter, and Daniel James.
The United manager is looking forward to the visit of Michael Carrick’s team on Saturday, who are currently eight points and seven places lower in the Championship table than the Whites. Farke was naturally asked for the most recent injury and recovery update on the squad, with Stuart Dallas the only player who was absent from team training and unavailable on Wednesday night.
Here’s a rundown of the briefing’s headlines and what we learned from reading between the lines after confronting Farke.
READ MORE: Daniel Farke does not regret Sam Greenwood’s Leeds United loan, despite James Maddison’s remark
On the squad’s most recent injury news: “[A] similar [picture to Wednesday’s], but not equal.” Unfortunately, this game does not have two players. Joffy Gelhardt is one of them. He has a minor hip problem.
“He and Junior Firpo will both be out and out of the game tomorrow.” He complained about hamstring pain after the last game, and we scanned him, and it’s a strain. He’ll be out for about three week.”
“Yes, it’s the most difficult part of the job because you’re not working on the FIFA PlayStation where you just press some buttons and there are no emotions,” he says of leaving players out of his squad.
“You don’t work with robots; you work with humans, and this is something you must always remember, as well as your own experience as a player.” It can be difficult to see and judge the big picture at times.
“It’s more like you just listen to a decision, take a look, and think from a very individual and subjective standpoint.” I understand how difficult it is, and in my experience, the best approach is always openness, honesty, and the truth.
“The players don’t want any excuses or anything to spin around the picture, they want to be open, direct, and honest.” This is the best way, and it is impossible to please all of the players.”
