Leeds United

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Leeds United midfielder Sean Longstaff has looked back on his decision to leave Newcastle United for Elland Road in the summer as a positive one that has given him a fresh sense of freedom and enjoyment on the pitch.

The midfielder spent more than decade with his boyhood club, and admitted the decision to leave St James' Park was not an easy one.

But since making the switch, the 27-year-old says he is thriving under Daniel Farke and relishing a new challenge in the Premier League.

"It's been really enjoyable. I've made a really good decision and really enjoyed pretty much every second I have been here, so hopefully that continues for a long time," Longstaff told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It was going to take a lot for me to leave Newcastle. I want to play as much football as possible. I looked at the options and managers and the groups of players and really liked the look of Leeds.

"When it came down to it, it was between Leeds and staying. I think it's been a positive start.

"Coming here probably freed me up a little bit and allowed me to play without the pressure of the city and knowing, after a result, that if we won, great, but if we lost, people are going to come for you.

"A fresh start and fresh mindset has been really good for me and probably allowed me to play some of the best football I've played in a long time."

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Last week, Leeds United sporting director Adam Underwood sat alongside Brentford counterpart Lee Dykes at Old Trafford explaining to a captivated audience what his job entailed and what the targets are.

The two-day Training Ground Guru conference is an established part of the football calendar.

In theory, Underwood should be the senior man as on key metrics, history, fanbase, stadium size, Leeds dwarf Brentford.

The reality is very different.

Underwood knows through their extensive use of data and smart recruitment that Brentford have become an established member of England's elite.

The Bees are now into their fifth consecutive Premier League campaign. Leeds are in their fourth in 21 years. Their aim this season is to halt the current sequence of relegations for the past six teams coming up out of the Championship.

"There are a number of clubs like Brentford - Brighton are in that bracket too – who have an excellent base from which they run their football operation," Underwood told BBC Sport.

"Everyone is aware how they use data to get a competitive advantage and recruit really well. The evidence of that from those clubs is everywhere.

"I am sure it has helped to sustain them in the Premier League and helped them grow and continue to be successful.

"We know that as a Championship club promoted to the Premier League the task is huge to buck the trend of the six clubs over the past two years who have come up and gone straight back down.

"We look at clubs across the Premier League and ask: 'What did they do well?', 'How did they manage to achieve what they have achieved in staying up?'."

Manager Daniel Farke will be judged on how successful – or otherwise – he is in keeping Leeds in the top flight.

Underwood's role is to support that. But his brief goes wider.

Arriving at Leeds as academy manager in 2014, Underwood was promoted to head of football operations in July 2023 and took up his present role in April.

He knows his day-to-day work must never lose sight of the overall vision of the 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group that own Leeds.

"Having competitive success is always going to be the immediate focus, for the sporting director, manager and the ownership group," he said.

"But around that, as a foundation for sporting success, there has to be a long-term view for how you develop the club, build the infrastructure and create the conditions for that success to happen and increase the chances of it happening over a period of time.

"We want to be an established Premier League club and believe we can push back to the top half of the table and realise our potential.

"The sporting director's responsibility is to feed both of those work streams and both of those projects.

"Every weekend, you are at games hoping all the work you are doing in recruitment to support the manager and the staff, pays off and you get a result.

"But ultimately, you know as long as you are on track over the long term from a performance perspective, you are making steps towards your vision and realising the ambition of the ownership."

Molly Whitmore
Fan writer

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It has been an encouraging start for Leeds United - flashes of attacking flair, real promise in the middle and some defensive grit.

But as we head into the next stretch, one thing stands out as the area for improvement: turning heartbreaking late draws (or worse, defeats) into solid points.

I have just spent the past week on holiday in Egypt - and even 2,500 miles away, the Leeds chatter does not stop! Over breakfast one morning, I got talking to another Leeds fan we had met at the hotel and what struck me was how widespread the optimism is this season.

The general feeling, whether you're in Leeds or lounging by the Red Sea, is that we will stay up. There is real belief, built not on blind hope, but on performances that have shown progress.

Still, there is nothing worse than 90 minutes of good football unravelling in the dying seconds. It has been a familiar theme - we start strong, look organised, and then just lose our edge right at the death.

The first half against Spurs was a perfect example of how we can defend. Tight lines, solid shape and calmness that made us a side ready to compete with anyone.

But this season, after about 70 minutes, that focus sometimes fades and it has cost us.

If we can keep our early defensive discipline through to the final whistle, we will convert narrow losses into valuable draws, and draws into much-needed wins.

It is about mentality as much as tactics, staying concentrated when tired legs and nerves kick in.

And speaking of Spurs, wasn't that a performance to enjoy? It is not every week you get to say Leeds went toe totoe with one of the "big six" (still feels funny calling them that, doesn't it?).

The energy, the pressing, and the togetherness were all there. For large spells, it looked like we belonged on that stage and that's the belief we need to carry into every fixture, not just the high-profile ones.

Molly Whitmore is a regular contributor on BBC Radio Leeds - find all their audio here

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, the team discuss United's chances of Premier League survival.

Simon Rix says Daniel Farke's men won't be "relegated by March" like last season's promoted sides, adding that Elland Road is not seen as an easy place to visit and even the Premier League's top sides will take the Whites seriously.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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In the final part of our Q&A with BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope, we take a look at how Joel Piroe can be brought into the team and the latest on Harry Gray's contract.

Vaughan asked: Piroe looks sharp but how can he be integrated into the team this season, given the formation Leeds are having to use?

Peter also asked: With the current trend of the return of long throws, long-ball tactics and some teams going with two up front, do you think a second striker - like Piroe - would help Dominic Calvert-Lewin and improve the goal situation?

Adam answered: Daniel Farke says Piroe is the best finisher he has worked with. His effort as a substitute against Tottenham deserved to find the net - but for an excellent save from Guglielmo Vicario it would have.

With two wingers and a robust centre-forward, there is no obvious position for Piroe to start, as the midfield is more powerful and physical than he is. But he is a very important squad player.

Put it his way, if you were to go and buy last season's top scorer in the Championship, then it would be a significant purchase. Leeds have him already and I can see him coming into his own later on in games when a formation change may be required, like we saw against Spurs when he was able to benefit from Calvert-Lewin's knock down.

This also makes sense when trying to profit from the bits and pieces that sometimes come a striker's way from set-plays later on in matches. Set-pieces are very important and having spoken to Ludonautics' Ian Graham, who has studied this at length, there are significant gains to be made for teams by being efficient at these.

Lucas asked: Any news on Harry Gray's contract now he has turned 17? Also, we apparently had a pre-contract agreement for Leonard Ngenge - is that deal still happening?

Adam answered: Ngenge signed for Nigerian side Remo Star from Ikorodu City in the summer as far as I'm aware.

As for Gray, despite reports of him agreeing a new deal, there has been nothing to confirm this is the case yet after he turned 17 last week. He is contracted until 2027 as it stands.

Scroll down this page for the rest of the Q&A with Adam.

The fans' mailbag has been tipped on to the floor of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet studio for this week's edition of the podcast from BBC Radio Leeds.

Topics covered by Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix include potential personnel and formation changes, United's points target and whether Daniel Farke's side have had a tougher run of games than their closest rivals.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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The second part of our Q&A with BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope looks at Jaka Bijol's prospects and who the best summer signing was.

John asked: I've always felt Bijol could be a big player for Leeds this season. He missed out on his possible Premier League debut against Everton because of a one-game ban from the latter end of his Serie A time. So much depends on injuries. Do you see him being an influential player for Leeds?

Adam answered: I thought Bijol might start the season, bar the suspension, as one of the first-choice centre-backs because I wondered if Pascal Struijk may be sold over the summer.

However, after the transfer window, managing director Robbie Evans explained to us why the likes of Struijk remained. He said that the decision was taken to hold on to the club's key players rather than sell early in the window to create more PSR headroom. So, on that basis, Bijol was set to compete with Joe Rodon and Struijk from the off, with Seb Bornauw in support.

An initial fee of £15m is a considerable investment, so there will be a role for him to play and you have to bear in mind that Struijk has suffered two lengthy injury lay-offs in recent seasons.

Bijol said recently: "Now the results have been a little worse in the recent period and I hope my opportunity will come as soon as possible. But I certainly understood why the situation is like this."

Iain: Which summer transfer has made the most impact so far at Leeds'?

Adam: Arguably Gabriel Gudmundsson, who is a definite upgrade at left-back as he can defend and attack.

However, I do not think you can underestimate the influence that Sean Longstaff's experience of the Premier League brings - so after seven matches I would say Longstaff.

Come back to this page later on Monday for the final part of Adam's Q&A, which will focus on Joel Piroe's season.

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In the first part of our Q&A with BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope, we focus on Daniel Farke's position and the 49ers' ownership.

Chris asked: I was so pleased that Farke was given the opportunity by the 49ers to manage Leeds United in the Premier League as he deserved it, but how do you assess his start to the season and, if Leeds lose a few games before Christmas, do you think that they will replace him? If so, who would you go for?

Adam answered: I agree he has deserved his opportunity and when there were questions over his future during the run-in to the Championship title, I felt more supporters respected the work he was doing. To go on and lift the trophy was as much a vindication for him for blocking out the noise and the doubters.

The start has been steady and, in terms of points, probably about what I envisaged. I feel Farke will keep Leeds in the Premier League for another season. The transfer window was solid, if not spectacular. Farke is very intelligent and understands the financial parameters he has to work within. He also knows how to manage upwards as well as his players.

Eight points from seven games is a decent tally and, bar the Arsenal game, United have been right there in the other six top-flight fixtures too, though the Carabao Cup performance at Sheffield Wednesday was very disappointing.

In all, the performances have deserved a few more points and, therefore, there are no questions over his immediate future.

Roy asked: How well do you think the 49ers are balancing Leeds alongside Rangers and their other sporting endeavours? Some feel they are favouring the Scottish Premiership club.

Adam answered: "It is a real positive to have two clubs like that but there is not one subordinate to the other. That would be a disservice." That is what Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe said when he was announced as Rangers' vice-chairman.

I know Rangers are struggling on the pitch, with the appointment of Russell Martin going quickly and spectacularly badly, but bearing in mind Marathe has been at the forefront of a huge global brand and organisation in terms of the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises, successful delegation will be a key strength of his.

A former boss of mine, who was very successful in the builders merchants' trade, told me once: "The secret to good management is to surround yourselves with good people." In essence, the club seems to be well run, so I do not sense resource is being lost to the Scottish Premiership.

Return to this page later on Monday for part two of the Q&A with Adam, which focuses on the impact of some of Leeds' summer signings.

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Leeds have enjoyed an encouraging start to to their return to the Premier League with many talking points to get stuck into over the international break.

Daniel Farke's side sit 15th after seven games but an early Carabao Cup exit and struggles to score from open play have given cause for concern,

Later this week, BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope will answer a selection of your questions on anything to do with the Whites, so over to you...

Send yours in using this form

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Karl Darlow says he is savouring the chance to play regular football again after re-establishing himself as first choice at club and international level.

The 34-year-old has started the season strongly and told BBC Radio Leeds that consistent minutes have helped him regain his rhythm before heading on duty with Wales.

"It's amazing at the minute," Darlow said. "Every football player wants to be playing week in week out, and I am no different to that. I am relishing game by game that I can go out and show what I'm all about, and am really pleased to be in a rhythm again.

"It helps when I come away with the national team that I am playing week in week out."

Darlow also offered an update on winger club and international team-mate Dan James, who suffered an injury setback recently. While saying the incident was difficult to see because he is close with James, Darlow said the prognosis was more positive than first feared and that the forward is already working on a swift return.

"He is obviously not happy about it," Darlow said. "I don't really know what's been said in the media, so I will be completely honest with you, I don't want to go into too many details, but it's not a bad injury.

"He's working on coming back as quickly as possible and is obviously a miss for club and country. He's one of my best mates, so it's something that wasn't nice on the day.

"It's probably the best prognosis he could have got after what we originally might have thought it was."

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Leeds United will look to sign a winger in January after their deadline-day move for Fulham and Wales' Harry Wilson, 28, fell through. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Leeds United U21 were thumped by Fleetwood Town as striker James Norwood scored a hat-trick, with Fleetwood coasting to a 4-0 win at home to Leeds. Will Davies was also on the scoresheet.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

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Before last weekend, Leeds United's last top-flight game against Tottenham Hotspur came in the final fixture of the relegation season two and a half years ago.

Sam Allardyce was in the dugout that day and United lined up in a 5-4-1 formation, with a midfield featuring Robin Koch, Weston McKennie and Adam Forshaw. What followed was a performance so devoid of passion, competence and work-rate that it prompted then captain Liam Cooper to tell the players, in not so many words, that if they did not want to be at the club, to leave.

McKennie was particularly derided by a vociferous Leeds crowd, who vocalised their displeasure at both the board and players.

The whole club needed a reset. And, despite suffering another loss to Spurs last weekend, that Leeds were beaten was the only similarity between the two games.

In fact, the ever-present fans aside, Leeds United is an organisation re-imagined. New owners, a new manager and a new team – only Jack Harrison remains from the starting XI beaten 4-1 on that day.

Plus, in the directors' box, there was no Victor Orta screaming until he is red in the face and trying to convince anyone who will listen on the merits of a raft of average players. No stony-faced Angus Kinnear. No former owner, Andrea Radrizzani.

Just chairman Paraag Marathe and a professional recruitment team that – instead of bringing in players like McKennie - have transformed the squad over the past few years with excellent additions such as Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Jayden Bogle.

All were bought relatively cheaply and are now worth more than the price Leeds paid for them.

Upper management at a football club is often a thankless task, but they should be praised as Leeds have come a long way in two years.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

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Following the discussion about Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, we asked for your opinions on the 28 year-old.

Here are some of your comments:

Robert: At present he looks like Bamford in disguise! A very hard worker for the team cause and gets in great positions to score a goal, but then misses umpteen good chances, before an actual goal comes along! Jan transfer window requires MORE firepower up front.

Dan: I was dead against the signing of DCL but I must say he's impressed me, especially in the last two games. He's strong, sharp, clever and works really hard for the team. His finishing is still rusty but that will come with more time. He's getting in the positions and taking shots. More goals will come.

Chris: For me Calvert-Lewin is trying too hard to score. He needs to relax a bit and goals will come. Maybe a touch of psychology from Farke would help him (and plenty of practice on the training ground). I also think that Aaronson is in a similar position.

Bob: He's not really doing too much wrong, but with additional training plus more starts he will be/should be up to full Premier League game fitness. Not helping that Willy Gnonto and Dan James are injured and both always like to start or come off the bench and likely will offer additional service too him. Substituting him against Bournemouth was a bad error as he's is definitely stronger in the air than I thought!

Andrew: He will score goals eventually but not in the quantity we require. We are still missing a top class forward and number 10. We have been for three years. Every supporter knows this but apparently the board/manager can't see this.

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On the latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, the panel discussed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who goes in to the second international break with one goal for the club.

BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan said: "[Against Tottenham] his hold up play and all round play was there, he gets himself around the pitch, he looks strong, physical and stretches teams.

"He is also in the right places to get the chances, but again we speak about his [lack of] cutting edge, and his xG (expected goals) over the years. It is already becoming a little bit of an issue."

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix defended the striker, saying: "Scoring is the hardest thing to do in football. He had some more good chances and I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. I feel like he is going to score, maybe in our next game.

"He is still getting up to speed and hasn't played much football, but I think those around him scoring more would also help.

"If we talk about [Brenden] Aaronson, he has had two games in a row where he has had a shot that has led to a goal, even though he hasn't scored a goal. I guess that means he is contrubuting, but in other ways I think he is a little bit predictable and not contributing.

"With Calvert-Lewin, it is up to other people to contribute as well."

Where do you stand on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds fans? Do you think Calvert-Lewin needs to step up his game, or is it the Leeds attack who are limiting his goal scoring ability?

Get in touch with your views here

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Leeds and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Leeds fans

RJ: Great effort by Leeds once again and probably deserved a point. But physicality and endeavour are only going to take us so far in the Premier League. Missed chances at this level are going to continue to prove costly. Dominic Calvert-Lewin in particular has to start putting away at least one of the golden opportunities that keep coming his way.

Apple: The home run had to come to an end sometime but it is sad that it had to be because of two deflections. On that performance, I think we should survive on the provisio that someone can put the ball in the net.

Danny: We matched Spurs during the game. The biggest concern is where the goals are coming from. A lot of good chances missed and that will be our downfall. It is very worrying.

Chris: Today showed how far Leeds have to go to stay in the Premier League. Some players are not physically strong enough to compete with the best and they are too slow in moving the ball forwards. Also, we were missing Dan James and Willy Gnonto who can get at opposition defences.

Spurs fans

Stan: Great to get the win in a tough match but the player that no one talks about is Guglielmo Vicario. We nearly conceded when Joe Rodon hit the post early on with Vicario flapping. Leeds' goal came after Vic parried the ball straight to an attacker, not the first time it's happened this season. True, he made two excellent stops late on, but he never looks secure especially dealing with balls in the air. We need to consider an upgrade or give Antonin Kinsky a turn.

Peter: What we needed. After a draw with struggling Wolves and at Bodo/Glimt, Thomas Frank must have been desperate for a win. Don't think it is worth criticising anyone for Noah Okafor's goal. I was really happy that Mathys Tel got on the scoresheet. He is good enough to start elsewhere but because we have so many attackers, he doesn't get many. He and Mohammed Kudus scoring made everyone's day better because they needed a goal to really get going. After seven games, third place!

Paul: A really good performance against a well drilled Leeds team that had not lost a game at home for a long time. We were good in transition and really ought to have another goal to the good by half time. We were caught out on a couple of occasions but other than we were solid defensively. Good to see both Tel and Kudus getting on the score sheet. Mind you, Kudus could do with releasing the ball sooner than he tends to. Overall though he deservedly was man of the match.

Martin: If the highlights on MOTD were any reflection of the whole game, it looked like we got away with another one. I'll take that if the boys keep battling, but better sides than Leeds will expose those weaknesses. A win's a win so we move on but we're riding our luck on the pitch.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures and Friday's action.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

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Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

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Elland Road had so far been a fortress this year with Leeds earning one win and two draws there since returning to the Premier League.

Farke stuck with the same line-up as the previous four matches and the hosts made a positive start with Joe Rodon heading off the post.

But Leeds' results in recent weeks have led many to question where the goals will come from this season.

Noah Okafor is their only player to have registered more than one league goal for the Whites this campaign while summer-signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not managed to build on the one goal he scored at Wolves two weeks ago.

Sean Longstaff has proved to be an astute signing but could not get his powerful strike on target.

Farke threw on two extra forwards with 10 minutes to go in an attempt to restore parity and substitute Joel Piroe almost found the equaliser in added time with a brilliant effort from close range but for a big save from Guglielmo Vicario. Farke was left with his head in his hands and then watched on as Patrick Struijk headed over from a corner.

But their attacking mindset and a belief they can get something from the game are traits that will help Leeds this season as they aim to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke speaking to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat to Tottenham: "[We needed] to score more goals from our big chances. We had two big mistakes. Football is sometimes like this. That's the way it goes in the first half. Second half our player slipped and that was an invitation to Kudus.

"We had more than enough chances to win this game. Performance-wise I can just compliment the lads, we won every metric. We are disappointed but the lads should be pleased with their performance.

"Six goals in the last three games for a newly-promoted side is not too bad. But yeah if their goalkeeper is man of the match.

"Sometimes you need just a scruffy goal, a bit like they scored today. Today, against such a good opponent - Tottenham are in the Champions League, they are towards the top of the table - we missed too many chances to get something.

"If you see the whole picture, but it doesn't take the disappointment away. We were the better side against such a top team. It says a lot about my team that we are on the such a good path.

"Nevertheless is it was such a top performance from my lads and we will keep going in this way."

You can also listen to more of what Farke had to say after the game to BBC Radio Leeds here

Did you know?

• Leeds United have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League games in which they've conceded first (W1 D1), including three of their five so far in 2025-26.

Hear more from Farke on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Leeds' performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

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Daniel Farke names an unchanged Leeds side for the visit of Tottenham.

Leeds XI: Darlow; Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Longstaff, Ampadu, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.

Subs: Meslier, Justin, Bijol, Bornauw, Gruev, Tanaka, Harrison, Nmecha, Piroe

Cristian Romero starts and captains Tottenham, while Richarlison is on the bench.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Palhinha, Xavi, Tel, Udogie, Romero, Kudus, Pedro Porro, Odobert, Bentancur, Van de Ven.

Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Johnson, Spence, Sarr, Davies.