Every word Daniel Farke said on Leeds United’s win, Gray, Poveda, Bamford, Darlow, transfer plans

What did you think of the performance tonight?

Good performance, good pre-season performance. So pre-season is all about getting ready for the real stuff but I have to give a compliment to the lads, it was really good. I was especially pleased to return to the dressing room with a clean sheet. It’s good win and against a Premier League side and I think also a well-deserved. There was one or two situation and we were pretty close to penalty and we missed a few big chances. So overall really, really solid and good performance.

Ian Poveda, what have you made of him in pre-season and how close is he to your plans?

I just can try to speak to the lads, try to make them work, try to bring the most of my ideas to football into their head but also into their hearts. I just can bring them, it’s up to the players if they want to step through the door. It’s difficult and not just after one or two good performances we are dancing on the table because of his performance. He has to keep going, he has to work unbelievably hard.

I’m pleased with his developments so far and that’s reason why he get some game time and get the chances. But just after one or two good games I’m not willing to sing the big song of praise about him, so he has to keep going.

Read more: Byram chance, Bamford boost, Ampadu shines and Poveda class as Leeds United beat Nottingham Forest

Karl Darlow, is that one close now?

We’ll see. So my philosophy is always to speak about business when it’s really done and for that I have too much experience. But it is just done when all is agreed and all is signed and medicals are done.

What I can say is that we definitely need a support on the goalkeeper position because yeah, Robles has left, so we are a bit thin on this position especially in terms of experience and yes, Karl Darlow is definitely a good goalkeeper. Yes.

You appreciate you have to ask about transfers all the time, Daniel. It’s what the fans want to know. Where do you see you next moving in the market? What are you looking for?

Well, it’s always about what wishes and what is realistic to do. So I think we have to have to say 100% we need many, many positions. We can’t rely, if you want to be ambitious club, on just Ethan Ampadu in the centre of the park and if he’s not ready then perhaps on an 18-year-old guy in the number eight position, or a 17-year-old guy. It’s not possible and also not healthy for the development so they need players who they can lean on, where they can learn. I’m pretty pleased with the development of our young players.

We definitely need additions also at the centre back position. It will be a long season I know the Championship is the toughest league in the world and at the moment we just have three centre halves so we need to do a little bit, we also a bit thin after the long term injury of the full-back positions.

Many, many positions if I’m honest, but it’s always about what is realistic. So I have many wishes and I think if you want to start really ambitious into the season there needs a lot of business to be done. But, due to the nature of the situation, we keep going and try to make the best out of it.

Archie Gray is somebody that’s been talked about for a long time in the academies, he’s come through the ranks and this summer he feels like he’s really made a breakthrough. Clearly you trust him to play. What’s your initial impression been of Archie this summer? Has he got a real good chance at playing a decent part next season for the team?

We will see. So I’m not willing to press young lads too early because this is what many people do and then they forget about them to let them play and also to develop them. So I know of repetition. I also like to bring many, many young players through.

I like to work with young players, I’m never scared, once they are ready, to play them and this is always my philosophy. I’m not about age, if the 17 or 18 year old guy is ready, he plays, it’s as simple as that. But if you want to be ambitious, you need also a proper core group of players and also the development and also with Archie I’m pleased with him so far, he’s in really good shape. He’s physically in a good condition. He has shown some really good performance on some pre-season but also saw many games, what he has to improve, where he has to improve.

What I like about him is he’s willing to learn, he is ready to get input and depth and the stuff that we give them but again, I just can’t bring him to the door and can work with him. He has to make a step through the door and he’s on a good path but it’s pre-season so far so yeah, not one proper game is played so I’m not willing to press them too early.

Patrick, you will know, has had a difficult couple of years through injuries mainly but immense composure, the roll of the studs before the goal tonight, what has your first impression has been of Patrick and do you think he’ll be a big part of your plans this season?

Yeah, really ice cold finish today. Also experience on this level he doesn’t have to prove, so last time we as a club played on this level he was there with many, many goals and secured promotion so he doesn’t have to prove that he’s an outstanding striker with a cap for England, so not the easiest nation to play for so we don’t have to speak about his experience, about quality, but also after difficult season or seasons, the injury, each and every goal is important. I think he was there with a good performance today and the most important topic for Patrick is that he stays fit, that he stays in this movement, if he’s fit and also full of confidence I’m pretty sure he’s capable to score several goals for us.