With us facing automatic promotion and title challengers Leeds United at Elland Road tonight, we caught up with All Day LUFC to find out what the opposition camp are thinking about their season and the game.
3rd in the Championship, what’s been the story of your season?
As expected with Leeds United, a lot of ups and downs. The last game between us was one of those lows and what we’ve seen too often this season of the team just not finding that consistency with top level performances.
2024 has seen a huge run which was sadly ended on Saturday, but that run has given us a huge chance at the top two.
Do you think you’ll earn automatic promotion?
It’s hard to say. If you look at 2024’s results, you say absolutely. However, looking at performances since the international break, it’s hard to see us grinding out the points we need without an improvement.
Leicester will win the league by a good 4+ points now so it’s just that second place spot left.
Ipswich just won’t drop off either, they manage to pick up points when not playing well, and when they do drop points, Leeds can’t seem to capitalise on it.
If you miss out, will you win the play-offs?
No. Leeds and play-offs aren’t a strong combination and despite there still being a very obvious best three teams in the league, I don’t think whoever finishes 3rd will win them.
Of the teams who could make up the three spots, the only team we’ve beat this season has been Norwich.
What do you think of manager Daniel Farke?
Daniel Farke was exactly what we needed after last year’s mess. A strong character we very quickly warmed to.
I like Farke and want it to work, and the points total we’ve got is ridiculously strong, but tactically I have questions, as many others do.
It’s controversial when you question a team averaging 2.1 points per game, but we don’t look as tactically strong week in week out considering the players we have. Often looks like a system built on hoping we see moments of brilliance from Summerville or Rutter.
Who is your best player?
Best player is quite clearly Crysencio Summerville. In terms of his output, he’s been incredible this season and if he has a bad game, we don’t often see the same Leeds.
Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu are arguably the most important though. Our defence has been ridiculous in 2024 and that’s purely down to those two after Pascal Struijk’s injury. Our back up options aren’t great and Farke has been reluctant to use them.
If you don’t go up, will you be able to keep hold of your stars?
Hard to say exactly where our financial situation sits, as we’ll see a mass outgoing of all the loan players (hopefully) in the summer no matter the division.
Summerville and Gnonto will definitely go. Gray is the one I worry about as his ceiling is so high but without promotion, it’s hard to commit him to stay with Europe’s top clubs circling.
Which Sunderland player worries you the most?
Last time I said a combination of Clarke and Ballard and I’d still continue with that.
Clarke especially as he’s back from his injury and returning to Elland Road so will be up for it.
Unsure who will be playing right back for us too, as Roberts isn’t fully fit and Gray might be needed in the middle.
What’s your score prediction and who will get the goals?
I’m going to be hopeful and say a 2-1 win. Summerville and James with the goals after Clarke scores early.
Although if Ampadu is out, I’m worried about our defence.
