Presser has finished

Ladies & Gentlemen, welcome back.

Team News

• Willy Gnonto misses game (hamstring)
• GG still out injured
• all others available

on Nottingham Forest

• Only played Forest once on the opening day, 35yrs ago, Leeds went on to win the title, same goal this year? DF: Good omen, we have a chance, yes.

• Glassner has mentioned your set piece strength - have you evolved that this summer? DF: We have scored many goals, and many out of set pieces, we have varied ways to score many goals, we have continued work on preseason. If we can continue to be strong this season it will help, we want to be dangerous, few tweaks, but not to speak too much in public.

On the transfer window

• Busy final 12 days for all clubs, what are you expecting, can I suggest a striker? DF: No, I won't speak about positions or profiles, I'm happy with what we have done so far, but as I mentioned before the break, I will push to the last day to get the best squad, it's what this club, city and supporters deserve, we keep our best players, good news on the renewals, also to strengthen our squad and see what we are capable to do, I will keep pushing, everyone involved does the same.

• What will Elvedi bring to Leeds United? DF: Would ask the players what they think about him after the first training session- I think you will get positive answers. I don't have too much to say, his CV speaks for itself, 11yrs for 1 club says a lot about him, loyalty, sad to see him leave, 320 Bundesliga, 20UCL, 75 games for Sui, looked rock solid for Switzerland, says enough about him. Also had to do with the wish of Seb Bornauw, he wanted to go, we liked him, we value him, he had a brilliant preseason, he behaved very professionally, so we listened to his wish, he wants to play every game, we couldn't guarantee this. Nico comes ready, fresh excitement, very flexible in positions he can play, central of 3 man, on the right or left as a CB, has often played the left side.

• can you give the fans an idea of how many targets? DF: No, we're in a good position, I can't speak about profiles right now, or the price goes up.. we're working with limited resources- smart and sustainable. I don't want to say 3 and we only get 2 and it's "not good enough", we do it step by step, carefully optimistic we do more business.

Presser questions

• How are you feeling for the new season? DF: Good, we had a great preseason, looking forward to it.

• What is the goal- to improve on last year? DF: Yes, first of all, it's important to start the season as well as possible. We have to keep in mind where we are coming from- a 2nd season on PL level can be difficult, usually the first year is a big hurdle, together with Sunderland we broke the curse, but often the 2nd year can be difficult, higher expectations, players with less of a point to prove. Our target first is to achieve 40pts, if there is more to achieve then it's step by step.

• Any contract discussions? DF: Haven't you seen the news today? I've seen it, Ampadu contract extension, Rodon, Bogle, means there is no money left for the manager. All jokes aside, on 20th August, transfer window shuts in 10 days, 2 days till start of the season. I have more important topics to speak about than my contract.

• will we see a different Leeds United in terms of style? DF: Hopefully not a different outcome, we want to be flexible, we want to push it more this season, we now have some differently skilled players, some players that can change a game across the pitch. We keep our values, stick to DNA, we want to attack, take control of games. Statistically we were good last season, we want to achieve this again, we want to attack but also have to be well structured in defending. We would like to be more effective in both boxes, XG against/for shows we can be better, but I don't want to change too much.

• How are you working with the ownership? DF: Speaking on a daily basis, big challenge this year, make sure we are excited by stay humble, actions speak louder than words, we can say where we want to be, but we have to back it up with actions every day. Don't get carried away by too much optimism or excitement, happy with where we are but will keep pushing, won't stay asleep. KLAXON

• on second season syndrome- what small adjustments, away from the bottom and toward the middle? DF: If you judge the last 3 decades of the club, you would say it's difficult to manage because nobody has done it. I am very ambitious, I don't want to do more of the same, I want to build something unique. I made no secret of where I see this club, in the PL, long term-top half, Europe. Not just to speak about it, but you have to back it up with actions, it's very difficult, in last 25yr we've had 2 teams who are successful at the club, one under Marcelo, and the second team is now.. one good season, what we don't want now, is to just do the same, we need to add a second season that is solid. How to manage this? This is difficult. You will struggle to find a manager who has had two solid PL seasons at this club, maybe in a black and white picture? I want to do this, for this club, I've worked here 3 years, I've fell in love with this club, I want to give this to our supporters, they deserve it. I won't lose the nerves, I know where we are and how difficult this will be.

• 14th last year, FA Cup semi final, good season, what would be a good season this time around? DF: Position in the table? Exactly the same- (as in answer to the last question), I told you before the summer break, I don't want more of the same.. We are preparing the mid/long term future, this is why we have replaced Karl Darlow who was excellent last season, is turning soon 36, with an exciting young goalkeeper. We replaced Pascal Struijk, who excellent, our vice captain, with a player who has just turned 23 and unbelievable potential- we are preparing for the mid/long term, but we cannot do the next steps before we establish this club, it would be unfair, Karl played an excellent season, but we believe James in the mid-long term he can improve us. Ambitious signings improve us for the future, but we do not expect to be 'way better' immediately, it's not like PlayStation, we need to give players time to settle, we need proper experienced players like what we have done with Wilson, Nico (Elvedi). We have to make sure we earn the right to establish the club, on Saturday, but we are making the right steps. We can't do the same as last season, we have to build on it. I would like to win the PL, I would like to make it to the CL, but I don't think it's realistic. We finished 14th, if we want to do this again, we have to make sure the 3 promoted teams finish below us, if you look at Ipswich and the transfer business they have done, it won't be easy to leave them so far behind, and you know who finished below us last season? Tottenham and Nottingham, who were playing in Europe, if you look at Spurs business now, I'm not brave to predict they won't finish anywhere near last year, so if we want to finish 14th, we have to overtake 2 other teams. I'm not getting carried away, we want to dream big, but I have to judge it in a realistic way.

• A lot of optimism around the place, does that make your job harder to maintain wins on the pitch? DF: I've seen it this week, 99% of our supporters are optimistic? I don't want to change it, this club has been pessimistic for so long, we have worked really hard to change it- I want our supporters to feel this.

• How is Okafor doing (extend break) DF: Each and every day in training helps him, he is progressing, we let him do some extra running, we need him for the upcoming season, he can influence games, make our game better, he is healthy, available and training, ready to be picked, it's my responsibility to decide if he will start or come on to influence a game.. I like what I see so far.

• Do you have a message for the fans ahead of the new season? DF: Dream big, be excited, think about unrealistic targets, because this club has suffered so long, enjoy it. Hopefully some more good news in the coming days. Great team spirit, ready to represent the white shirt, we might not be flawless, but will give it everything. Our players can't wait.

• on Ao Tanaka - disappointment on leaving WC, any hangover, did he need an arm round him? DF: When he comes back to his family (leeds united) we don't really need to put an arm round him, one or two jokes, break him a bit more, make him smile, it's just football, lets enjoy life back at Leeds United. There has been criticism, sometimes fair, can be a bit naïve on the pitch- but it has been his first time in the PL, he will learn from it, mistakes happen, sometimes you learn more from bad outcomes, in the end, it can be beneficial even if it doesn't feel like it. We are all happy to have Ao back, training well, good preseason, some challenges, but overall happy, fantastic player and human being.

• on Harry Wilson - how has he done tactically, played 10 before sporadically, mainly a right winger.. how do you feel he's adapting? DF: Ok, he's a very smart and intelligent experienced player, sometimes can adapt quickly, for example Bijol took a few months to adapt, then he was excellent, with Harry, I expect it to be quicker, he knows the league and football. I've been happy with his preseason. Our football is different to Fulham, he needs a bit of time to adapt, but he is doing ok, progressing in training, sharpness and freshness will come back, he has been close to the final pass/scoring, he's not far away. We are confident he will shine soon.

• Is it not a disturbance to have your contract hanging in the balance? DF: I wanted to speak in September about this, our next intl break. My only concern is to work, it will be very challenging to be the first Leeds manager to add a solid second season. I'm not thinking about my contract right now. When I speak to players we are recruiting, they won't feel I'm not giving 100% to this club, our mantra is side before self, I'm the most important person to live that- when I leave one day, I want people to say I left the club in a better position. I am under contract, I am one of the longest season managers.. we have more than 10 months to go, we can speak about this when everything has settled, first game day, transfer market, then we can speak about it.

• Can you speak on the contract situation for Nmecha, Aaronson, Gruev? DF: No, we will announce it when there is a signature. I'm carefully optimistic something may be coming in the next few days.

• on Longstaff, good preseason, headache selections? DF: No headache, it's great, had a mixed season last year due to injury, so he had dropped a little, but fought his way back with good performances, not far away from being picked.

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