Farke on 'the bigger picture', play-offs and Southampton
There is a huge chance this was not the last time Leeds United manager Daniel Farke sits before the media before a match this season with his side's automatic promotion hopes very slim and the play-offs looming.
The Whites have to beat Southampton at Elland Road (Saturday, 12:30 BST) and hope Ipswich Town lose at home to already doomed Huddersfield Town, to avoid extending their season.
Here are the key lines from Farke's news conference:
Dan James remains sidelined while late calls will be made on Connor Roberts and Patrick Bamford who are major doubts.
On supporting the players after form has dipped in recent weeks: "I don't have the feeling that players have let me down. When I signed the contract here 11 months ago, [it was] in order to create something special. My aim is to bring this club back to the Premier League, not just for one season. I want to make sure we are established. We are full of potential."
He conceded he thought a return to the top flight was unlikely earlier in the season: "I would have said no chance of promotion, privately, in September. We did not buy success. I know it's more likely when you have experience. You know why Bayern is in the semis [of the Champions League]. They are experienced. Same with Real Madrid. They know you need experience. We are one of the youngest sides in the whole league."
On how ready his team are to bounce back from the 4-0 defeat at QPR last Friday: "I never play psychological games. Friday we were far away from our best so we have to be even more critical. Players want honesty. But don't forget about the bigger picture of what the lads have done over the season."
How much does the performance against Southampton - even if results do not go in Leeds' favour - show that his side can rewrite history and win a play-off: "This game feels like a play-off game. I'm not in depression mode. I'm really positive and optimistic. I'm excited about what lies ahead of us. We go for it. I'll try everything to surprise everyone. If this doesn't work, I'm excited then for the play-offs."
