Leeds United’s full focus will now be on Thursday after playing out a 0-0 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday and both Ethan Ampadu and Liam Cooper have sent messages to Leeds fans.
Daniel Farke’s decision to pack the midfield and play more defensively saw Leeds end a run of two straight defeats going into the play-offs, having just kept one clean sheet in their previous eight matches.
Archie Gray was reinstated into the side in the no.10 role but was asked to do more of a defensive job than when either Georginio Rutter or Joel Piroe have been tasked with playing in that role for the Whites.
Working tirelessly according to pundit Jon Newsome, Gray’s presence filled up a hole that both Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara had failed to do in the recent 2-1 loss to Southampton before the start of the play-offs.
Leeds had chances to win the game and a penalty shout from Willy Gnonto, an appeal that Scott Minto believes should have seen the Whites awarded an early spot-kick at Carrow Road to take the lead.
But instead, it ended 0-0 and it places more importance on Thursday’s second leg at Elland Road. Both Ampadu and Cooper, the club’s on-pitch and off-pitch captains at the moment, sent messages to fans.
Cooper and Ampadu messages to Leeds fans ahead of second leg
The draw does hand Leeds a slender advantage going into Thursday’s second leg as The Whites return to Elland Road. On paper, Farke’s men should secure a victory and book their place at Wembley on May 26.
But this is Leeds United and fans of this tumultuous club will know that anything can happen, and it is often against the norm. Cooper and Ampadu called on the support of the vociferous Elland Road support.
Cooper said on Twitter, quoting a video: “This x100 Thursday please. From the first to the last minute,” while Ampadu said: “We appreciate your support like always. All together for a massive push Thursday.”
Norwich’s away record compared to Leeds home record
It is good viewing for Leeds fans ahead of Thursday’s clash. Leeds boasted the second-best home record in 2023-24, as Farke’s men picked up 16 wins from 23 matches and 53 points from a possible 69.
Meanwhile, Norwich’s away record was particularly poor. Despite finishing sixth in the League, David Wagner’s men were 19th-best away from home, winning only six of 23 games and losing 11 times.
It all points to a home win at Elland Road this week but as we all know, anything can happen in the play-offs and Norwich will play almost without any pressure given Leeds are favourites to reach Wembley.