Leeds United

We asked former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown his thoughts on current players hosting podcasts after West Ham's Michail Antonio accused Manchester United legend Roy Keane of having a "dinosaur mentality" for his views on the subject.

Pundit Keane told the Stick To Football, external podcast he believes the platform can be a "distraction" for players, "particularly if you’re on the back of a defeat".

Antonio co-hosts the Footballer's Football Podcast with Fulham captain Tom Cairney who replaced Newcastle striker Callum Wilson earlier in the role.

They are among sever high-profile current players to have ventured into podcasts, including Leeds striker Patrick Bamford who co-hosts My Mate's A Footballer with comedian Joe Wilkinson.

Brown's thoughts on this debate:

Players being on podcasts? It’s the world we live in. I understand the point regarding why the players are talking and what they’re talking about. We’re encouraged to be open-minded; we’re encouraged to come out and speak about things. Problems, positive things.

But I still think if edited correctly those talking points could actually be controlled. That is the key for me. If it is going to be done, it has just got to be watched over. There is fun and enjoyment, but it is not to be taken the wrong way, not to affect any performances or clubs coming your way or even your own club.

Unfortunately, it is not just Michail Antonio on a podcast, there are so many. Big players are into podcasts now and it’s not going away.

The point is not that it is a distraction. What brings it on you is when you’re quoted wrong or you have been discussing the wrong topic.

It is fine if you can do it and not have any of those problems – for instance if you are playing against another team and you said last weekend their striker has not been very good or the centre-back’s performances are not at a high level.

My point is the control and the management of the stories on the podcasts. It is fine to be done but they have to be managed correctly because any little thing can be spun when talking on an opponent or being critical of other players.

If you say, ‘well he’s just not scoring’ someone will come back and say, ‘you’re talking about him but you’re not putting the ball in the back of the net’.

The other point here is the reaction on social media, so you’ve just got to be spot on with it when you have your topics.

It is not going away - we want to hear them. Podcasts are here to stay.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has been contacted by Canada about leading the national team into the 2026 World Cup. (Standard), external

Want more news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Leeds United face QPR on Friday in the Championship, kick-off 20:00 BST, knowing a second straight away win would move them four points clear of third-placed Ipswich Town, albeit the Tractor Boys will have two games in hand.

Daniel Farke faced the media on Thursday and here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Winger Dan James and full-back Connor Roberts are missing while Patrick Bamford (knee) is a major doubt. Farke said if the game was on Saturday or Sunday his striker would probably be fit.

• If he is not available, Farke said: "He will be a big miss. We can do nothing about the schedule. We have to adapt to the situation. We will see in the next 24 hours"

• On Joe Rodon (calf) and Sam Byram, who were doubtful but will be in contention: "We've put him (Byram) in the ice bath for the last 48 hours so he should be fine. Both of them should be fit and available."

• On the Whites' approach at Loftus Road: "It is important to be ourselves on the pitch. We have to be brave and fully convinced and stick to our beliefs. QPR are not playing like a team facing the drop. They are a possession-based side. You have to be brave to press this side."

• He backed his young players to be able to operate differently in the same match if required: "If you want to change your approach during an important game, you have to believe in your players. We are working on these topics on the training pitch. We can play in different set-ups - whether we have to switch from man to zone-oriented structure, sit deeper or the other way around. It's not that easy to get messages across during noisy games, but practise in training helps this."

• He will allow his players time to celebrate if they win, even though it would not guarantee promotion: "Yes, it is important to enjoy the moment a little bit, especially after an unlucky week with results. [It is] never easy to win the momentum back. To do this against a side on fire during the game and before in form. To do this on the road, we were all proud. Cannot beat that winning feeling."

• On whether playing first out of the promotion rivals helps Leeds: "If we win, yes."

A new series of the My Mates's A Footballer's podcast has landed.

Patrick Bamford and comedian Joe Wilkinson are reunited to discuss the work-life balance of a football manager as well as the ongoing loan spell of former Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips at West Ham.

Listen to the podcast here

Aston Villa are closely monitoring Leeds United's 22-year-old Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Ten stone of barbed wire was how Leeds United's greatest player Billy Bremner was once described. He was as fierce as he was talented. His winning mentality and never-say-die attitude are embodied for eternity in an iconic cast of him celebrating on the corner of Elland Road.

Billy's statue, as it is known, is a place of homage for supporters who want their most successful captain's 'side before self, every time' mantra to forever be reflected by all Leeds United teams.

Those who gather around Bremner Square hope to witness this from the current crop of players, who - like Bremner when he first arrived at the club - are now looking to gain promotion to the top flight.

Bremner, who died at the age of 54 in 1997, has a legacy and an influence way beyond his early passing.

Some 772 appearances and 115 goals, many of them crucial ones, included winning every major domestic English honour, as well as European trophies. He is indelibly linked with the success of the most glorious period in the club's history.

Now, in his hometown of Raploch in Stirling, there are moves to raise £100,000 to have a new sculpture to encapsulate Bremner's spirit and inspire another community.

He won 54 caps for Scotland and Alexander Gibb of the Scottish Football Supporters' Association says it is time to commemorate him.

"He doesn't get as much recognition up here as he does in Leeds, especially as it's exactly 50 years since he captained Scotland to the World Cup in Germany," Gibb said.

"It's a brilliant opportunity to celebrate an amazing footballer and one of Scotland's best ever.

"He's seen as an inspiration to the people of Stirling. They've seen a local lad like him come through the ranks and make it to the very, very top of football."

The team at Don't Go To Bed Just Yet believe Monday's 4-3 win at Middlesbrough showed how powerful Leeds United's attack is and how boss Daniel Farke has done a great job this season.

BBC Radio Leeds sports editor Jonny Buchan said: "I thought it was going to be a continuation of the past few games. I had a sinking feeling when the first goal went in. Before the game, it was all about lack of goals as they dried up at the wrong time. That all went to the wayside. If Leeds go up it will be one of the most memorable games of the season. Daniel Farke has done an incredible job as he is the first manager in Leeds history to get to 90 points in his first season in charge."

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope added: "The difference between Leeds and Leicester City is that Leeds have the star quality in front of goal. Under the cosh and away from home, Crysencio Summerville still produced - and that's why I think Leeds will go up."

And Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix said: "We over-performed on our xG but when we go toe to toe with teams we do beat them as we do have star quality. Our whole team stepped up and no-one had a poor game. If we lose any games from now, we are done so I could understand why there's so much pressure on the players but the goals gave them a bit more freedom."

Listen to a new episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet on BBC Sounds

For much of this season, Leeds United have employed possession-based tactics, but after Middlesbrough won the arm wrestle for the ball in a crazy first half at the Riverside Stadium on Monday, Daniel Farke's tactics changed.

“We said at half-time we don't want to be in a basketball game the whole match," striker Patrick Bamford said after the game.

"So it's like taking control - without the ball... and then we know we're one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league. Win any way possible."

Without a victory in three matches, United had been accused of being predictable and of having trouble breaking teams down that sit back against them.

But on Monday, the Peacocks showed a different way to win, and their efficiency improved as well - 62% of their shots were on target, up from an average of 17% over the previous two games.

It was substance over style and perhaps a glimpse at how Farke might set this team up in the Premier League – and after Monday's performance they can dream of promotion again.

It was a perfectly timed, resounding return to form as Leeds proved they can adapt to win.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds manager Daniel Farke reacts to Monday's 4-3 win over Middlesbrough: "First of all a good advertisement for Championship football, I think all the supporters have enjoyed the game.

"(It was) a great piece of football from two good sides who really went for it to win this game. To start the game with this unlucky goal, deflected pass that normally wouldn't have been a chance, they scored out of this.

"Middlesbrough played today with freedom because it was more or less their last highlight, they could go for it and had a really good shape, then they are 1-0 up after just a few moments.

"To show such a reaction in the first half to come back to create so many chances, to score fantastic goals, was great for us to have.

"Compliments to Middlesbrough, they showed a fantastic performance, but great mentality from our players to lead 3-2 at half-time.

"We needed to show some steel and resilience in the last minutes to dig in and grind out this important result for us and we did.

"Many compliments for the heart, the mentality and the character of our players today and for their offensive quality."

Leeds United are likely to accept offers close to £30m for winger Wilfried Gnonto, who is attracting interest from Premier League clubs. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

I said last Friday that there would be many a twist and turn to come, and the top three have all dropped points again.

With second place Leicester having lost at Plymouth, Leeds had the chance to leapfrog them with a win over Blackburn – and instead succumbed to their first home defeat of the season. I’ve grown up mostly through play-off heartache and mid-table mediocrity, so with Leeds-tinted glasses on it comes as second nature to deem us falling apart again, but in truth it seems as though nobody wants to go up – Ipswich also dropping points at home to Middlesbrough later that day.

In what was seemingly a three-horse race for automatic promotion, Southampton have gone full Randy Orton – back in the mix out of nowhere. I think it sets a precedent for simply not trying to predict the outcome, because come D-Day things could be so tight that just two points separate first and fourth.

Due to Coventry’s FA Cup semi-final and Sky Sports moving Leeds’ clash with QPR to a Friday night, we now play twice before Ipswich next kick a ball. Should we win both games then, due to goal difference, Ipswich would need to match that to be above us come D-Day.

I thought Leicester had won the league. I thought Ipswich would fade away. I thought Southampton were out of the picture. Two weeks to go and it’s all to play for, anything could happen.

Lewis Deighton can be found at LUFC Lewis, external

Leeds United will have to wait for two of their promotion rivals to play first before they kick off their Championship fixture at Middlesbrough on Monday at 20:00 BST.

On Saturday, second-placed Leicester City host West Bromwich Albion, who are fifth and Southampton go to mid-table Coventry City. Both those sides have a game in hand on the Whites.

Current leaders Ipswich Town do not play this weekend so a point for the Foxes would take them top, while victory for the Saints would see them draw level on points with Leeds.

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before the trip to the Riverside Stadium.

Here are the key lines:

• Connor Roberts has a muscle problem and will miss the nest two games while Jamie Shackleton will return to team training and may be fit to face Middlesbrough.

• Goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson is not injured after his car crash earlier this week and Farke added: "I don't like to comment too much on players' private lives. But I was a bit shocked and concerned and I was really happy to hear he was okay. We had a short chat [and] he explained what happened. I have no reason to doubt his words."

• Coach Christopher John is expected to miss either the match at the Riverside or the trip to QPR after the red card he received during the defeat to Blackburn Rovers

• On how much the promotion race is now about pressure: "We're heading into the crunch time period. To stay cool is obviously an important thing. But also the quality of players, a bit of luck and to be focused on what you can influence."

• However, he is not feeling pressure from the boardroom to achieve promotion: "Just backing and trust from the owners. We are in a privileged position and we want to use it. We are having a top-class season with a remarkable points tally. We [have been] by far the best team in the second half of the season. We are more or less leading this league. The lads are playing a fantastic season."

• Middlesbrough may be unable to reach the play-offs by the time of the fixture but Farke does not expect that to impact how the game is played: "No, because they are unbeaten with many good wins and good performances in recent weeks. I expect them to be highly motivated and not expect them to feel pressure, with nothing to lose now.

• Therefore, he anticipates a difficult task on Teesside: "[It will be a] tough game for us, but this is what we have faced in 46 game days. We know we have to be at our best."

• He agrees that the success of German clubs in European competitions this seasons shows football is not always about having a massively wealthy owner but instead investing in youth.

• He added: "Our last line-up: [Illan] Meslier, experienced but young. [Joe] Rodon and [Ethan] Ampadu - our rivals are more experienced. [Ilia] Gruev and [Archie] Gray - our rivals have more experience. Our attackers, [Crysencio] Summerville, 21, [Willy] Gnonto 20, [Georginio] Rutter 22 and [Joel] Piroe 24 - our rivals have more experience. I don't want to buy success - I want to build for success. I don't want to be in the Premier League for one year spending money and then being out of it for 10 years. We want to be there for a long, long time."

The Championship title and promotion race is incredible.

Leicester were 12 points away at one point and looked like they were going to set all kinds of records. Southampton started off slowly before going on an unbelievable run, dropped off again, and now they are back in with an unbelievable shout because of the performances and the results of the top three.

Ipswich have been relentless to get to where they are and Leeds are now just having a hiccup. From their point of view, what was hard for them at the beginning was all the uncertainty around players and their loan deals and clauses that were written in on relegation. They had a slow start but then they have been incredible since.

There are some amazing games coming up for all those in the title and promotion race and it will be wonderful to watch.

But at the moment it feels like no one wants to win it with the points that are being dropped and you have to say it is the pressure. The pressure is ultimately playing into the race.

If you were to ask me who is going to win the title and who is going to get promoted – I could not call it. You cannot call it because of the results the teams have had and the games they have coming up.

When Leeds were facing a struggling Blackburn at home you would think it was the perfect game for them - and then they lost. Leicester went to Millwall and you thought that would be a game where they could go and get three points and then they didn't.

With the drama still to come in matches they have to play against each other too, it is fascinating.

At the Masters on Sunday, world number one Scottie Scheffler emerged from a four-way tie for the lead with six birdies in a 10-hole stretch around the turn to secure his second Green Jacket.

After dropping two shots within four holes, he still won the tournament by four shots and said: "I did my best to stay calm out there."

Scheffler trusted in himself and his deep faith to make it over the line: "I believe that today's plans were already laid out many years ago, and I could do nothing to mess up those plans." He believed in himself and delivered when it mattered most.

Former Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson successfully asked his players to do likewise telling them to " trust your swing" on the run-in to becoming champions of England in 1992.

They, like Scheffler at Augusta, stumbled with a 4-0 defeat at Manchester City with six to go before seeing off bitter rivals Manchester United to the title with a game to spare.

It is no coincidence why champions prevail. Since the turn of 2022 Scheffler has won nine times and gained an enormous 575 strokes against the field. He has been 100 shots better than Rory McIlroy, the second-best player in that period. That relentless performance is built on carrying on doing what you have been doing, trusting in your training so that practice becomes permanent.

So now is not the time for Leeds United to panic and make radical changes. By sticking to his game plan, Daniel Farke has all but eradicated Leicester City's 17-point lead and given the club a far clearer shot at promotion than the fallout from last summer's relegation had suggested.

We are four years on from Leeds romping to the Championship title and into the Premier League by 10 points under Marcelo Bielsa. After the resumption of football during the pandemic, United began with a defeat at Cardiff City behind closed doors but were unstoppable come the final reckoning.

Time again to trust your swing - this time in front of the galleries.