Leeds United defender Melvin Bard reveals Daniel Farke's message to him ahead of outing vs Tottenham Hotspur
Melvin Bard has discussed his impressive outing in Leeds United’s win over Tottenham Hotspur
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke told Melvin Bard to replicate his training form before sending the defender on against Tottenham Hotspur.
Bard joined Leeds on loan from Nice in the dying embers of the summer transfer window, penning a temporary deal containing a buy option.
The 26-year-old has seen little action in England but impressed as Leeds edged past Spurs on Saturday (November 7). He was introduced at half-time, replacing the injured Gabriel Gudmundsson at left wing-back, and was an integral part of Leeds’ 1-0 victory at Elland Road.
Melvin Bard on message from Daniel Farke
He told Leeds’ media team: “[The manager told me] to play like I did in training - to defend well, also to attack and just to enjoy myself.
“I think I made a good entrance. It was also important to get into the match well, because the team had played a good first half. And also, Gabi had played a good first half, I’m thinking of him too, because he got injured. I think I made a good entrance.”
Leeds United’s win
The game was deadlocked until the 79th minute, when impact substitute Noah Okafor fired past Spurs stopper Antonin Kinsky.
Bard said: “I knew we were going to score. I felt that we pushed a lot at the start of the second half, and I knew that at some point it would pay off.
“The win feels good. It feels very good. We needed it, for the team, because I think we have been sometimes a bit unlucky in some matches. And today, we did the job.
“We defended well, and we attacked well, and today’s victory was important and deserved. Elland Road was, as always, incredible. Always incredible the supporters. Incredible.”