Leeds United boss Daniel Farke in protection mode as he shields players ahead of key Aston Villa clash
AHEAD of a key game in his Leeds United tenure, Daniel Farke was in protection mode.
It was nothing to do with self-preservation and security of his own position either. It was everything to do with shielding his own players from censure, with it being they who cross the white line against Aston Villa on Sunday (2pm) and not him.
They must possess the clear and uncluttered minds on an important afternoon at Elland Road for Leeds, who could find themselves in the bottom three of the top-flight for the first time this season if results go against them on Saturday.
Farke, whose side have lost four of their last five matches, said: "You always have ups and downs and good performances and perhaps a bit worse performances.
"I would admit that I think the last two away games were perhaps the poorest period of the season. And I think it's a fair criticism also to mention this, but it's also my job to be there to protect my players.
"Because I work for a club where everyone cares so much about the club and who is so passionate. We are a club who polarises.
"Either you love this club with all your heart, Leeds United, or you have to be a bit careful; it's exactly the other way around.
"And if we have perhaps a poorer game or poorer period or back-to-back away losses, I know that everyone who is the other way around from the outside world will try to provoke us and try to tear us apart and divide us.
"I know sometimes I can make my job also easier by speaking (criticising) after a loss, for example, or a poor result.
"I also sometimes get the feeling that I also want to criticise a bit more and want to speak about what we could have done better a bit more.
"But I also have to calm myself a bit down because the outside world is doing this anyway. And I want to be then there for my players as a shield.
"Because what is never in doubt is that you can never question the passion and the desire and the way these lads are defending this club and trying everything in order to be successful."
Farke has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the clash with Villa, who have lost just once in their last 11 Premier League games at Elland Road.
After Sunday's game, Leeds embark upon a daunting triple whammy of fixtures which see them visit Manchester City and host Chelsea before welcoming reigning champions Liverpool on December 6.
It heightens the need to secure a positive result this weekend, but Farke insists that he does not feel under any extra pressure.
He commented: "It's really not hard. Because once you sign a contract for Leeds as a manager, player or as a staff member, you know the pressure is on from the first day you start working.
"Because it's a big responsibility to represent this club and lead this club to success. And I've spoken several times about (the fact) that this is the most passionate club, probably not just in the UK, but in the whole Western Europe. This is the biggest asset of us.
"And of course, it comes along with expectations and also with pressure. But for me, it's more or less like I just have the desire and the heart to defend this club and to be there and be successful and to establish this club on the top level. For that, I have the same feelings.
"So the fire, believe me, is also still burning inside. I'm more or less a Leeds United supporter. And after a loss, I don't want to go out of bed."