Dom Matteo has shared what Daniel Farke will be telling his Leeds United players ahead of Thursday night’s second leg in the play-off semi-finals at Elland Road.
Leeds and Norwich do battle in Yorkshire tonight with The Whites slight favourites after the two sides drew 0-0 in the first leg. Farke’s men boast the Championship’s second-best home record this season.
Meanwhile, Norwich had the 19th-best away record in the League despite finishing the season in sixth place. Even though Leeds failed to win last time out, it was a result that gathered momentum on Sunday.
Leeds beat Norwich home and away in the regular season and injured players are starting to return, with Dan James fit again after coming off the bench at Carrow Road for the last few minutes in the 0-0 draw.
Adrian Clarke urged James to start tonight despite the presence of Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto in the starting line-up. Matteo spoke to LUTV before the game on Thursday night at home.
Here is what Matteo said Farke will be telling his Leeds players before the game on Thursday night:
Matteo says what Farke will tell Leeds players ahead of Norwich
It will be interesting to see how Farke will line-up on Thursday night, whether he will continue with Archie Gray as the no.10 and allowing Leeds to be more defensive or go more attacking and bring Joel Piroe in.
Connor Roberts is fit and there is a decision to be made at right-back, though Sam Byram was excellent on Sunday and produced a goal-saving tackle in the second half to deny Norwich’s Borja Sainz.
Matteo said: “I’m sure the manager will be saying to his team, express yourself but don’t take chances. Make sure we do all the basic stuff well, but when you get an opportunity in the final third, attack them.
“Get at them, create the chances and make ourselves a real threat when we get on the ball and we’ve got to do that. Be slightly braver, because we’re at home,” former Leeds defender Matteo said to LUTV.
Norwich team news ahead of second leg against Leeds
Norwich manager David Wagner gave an update on two crucial Canaries ahead of Thursday night. Josh Sargent was forced off against Leeds in the last 10 minutes, picking up a knock to his ankle.
Meanwhile, veteran striker Ashley Barnes has been missing for the last two games due to a calf problem. Wagner says that he is confident Sargent will be okay, which is a boost given he’s scored 16 goals.
But for Barnes, Thursday night is expected to come too soon. Jarred Gillett will be the man in the middle, with Norwich winning six of seven games under him, and Farke’s last game as Norwich manager.