Leeds United v Burnley: Keep your foot down, says Daniel Farke, as he promises no risks with Gabriel Gudmundsson
Leeds United can all-but secure their place in next season's Premier League with victory over managerless Burnley on Friday, but manager Daniel Farke has challenged his players to keep going if they do.
Three points on Friday would take them to 43. Only Sheffield Wednesday, in 1990, have been relegated with as many in a 38-game top-flight season. More pertinently, it would open a nine-point gap to Tottenham Hotspur, who only have 12 to play for.
Farke called that “ridiculous”.
With seven newly-promoted sides immediately relegated since the end of 2022-23, staying up is Leeds' over-riding priority.
But victory on Friday will jump them above Champions League side Newcastle United and level on points with FA Cup holders Crystal Palace into their highest league position since September's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
"We are not scared at all of being chased," insisted Farke, whose team have been top of the mini-league of relegation candidates since beating Nottingham Forest on February 6.
"We just want to win points. Even if a special amount of points would be enough (to avoid relegation), we wouldn't stop being greedy to win more points.
"We want to win on as many points as possible and be as high as possible in the table.
"If we finish above the line, then we will celebrate whatever position it is but I would rather finish in position 16 than 17 or rather in 15 than 16 or 14 than 15.
"It's remarkable that we are ahead of teams like Tottenham or Nottingham, who play in Europe (this season) and spent close to £300m in the summer.
"It's normally ridiculous, but this is what we have achieved and we are quite proud of it.
"But we also want to make sure that if possible, we finish ahead of them by the end of the season.
"We always look realistically in both directions. It's not like you are not allowed to look back or you are not allowed to look forward.
"I work with human beings and mature fathers. They are allowed to have goals and targets.
"They can also aim for as high as possible – 52 points. I also would like to do it."
Although planning for next season is largely on ice until safety is secured, Farke has dropped heavy hints he would like to keep goalkeeper Karl Darlow beyond the end of his contract, which expires in the summer.
"The earlier you can plan, the better it is," acknowledged Farke. "But especially this season, one or two weeks more to plan doesn't make such a big difference because of the World Cup.
"We'll just speak once everything is confirmed about the futures of anyone, about our recruitment, about goalkeepers, outfield players, staff members, whatever.
"But how much I trust Karl and value Karl, you could tell by the fact that in the crunch time last season and right now in such an important period, he is my No 1 goalkeeper and he keeps out a player like Lucas Perri, who is highly rated and who has impressed us in the cup.
"Karl was fantastic in the last weeks and last months – to be honest, since the first day I worked with him – not just his performance on the pitch but also how he is as a human being.
"I've got the highest respect for Karl and there's a big trust between each other. You read between the lines if you want."
Leeds will be without the injured Gabriel Gudmundsson against Burnley, who parted company with coach Scott Parker on Thursday, and Tottenham the following week.
The wing-back has a hamstring injury, but will be conscious that he is almost certain to be part of Sweden's World Cup squad if he manages his body correctly between now and then.
Farke, who admitted to gambling with the fitness of Anton Stach in the FA Cup semi-final, says there will be no risks with Gudmundsson.
"We always see the human being first and we would never take risks or gambles on the health of the player," he said.
"We are always careful, but we always try to bring our players back as soon as possible.
"It's not an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament rupture) or whatever, it's a hamstring strain and for that we don't do anything stupid.
"There is never a guarantee that there can't be a new injury, but we will just bring a player back once it's healed and everything is settled. We don't do anything stupid, especially not with a muscle injury.
"But he also needs to be back as soon as possible for the World Cup. His chances to play for Sweden are just there because he has played so many good games for Leeds United.
"He is back to being a regular starter again for Sweden. Last season he was sometimes on the bench for Lyon and had it more difficult.
"He is also desperate to be back as quickly as possible, but we will just do it once there is no concern. We won't risk the health of the player."