Leeds boss Farke admits players are affected by play-off defeat

Leeds boss Daniele Farke admits his players and the club are disappointed after their promotion play-off defeat to Southampton.

Leeds were beaten 1-0 by Adam Armstrong’s winner for Saints.

Farke said afterwards: “As you can imagine, it couldn’t get any worse. We are suffering a lot right now. Deeply disappointed to have once come so close to 90 points, two great legs against Norwich. Today, we weren’t the worst team in this final and it hurts a lot. I don’t want to miss congrats to Southampton. They had one chance and it was only the goals.

“We had more possession, xG, chances and shots. Southampton defended really well and were clinical. All the best in the Premier League to them. It hurts so much when you are so close.

“When you’re not scoring, offensive players will always be looked at. The decisions were not top class in the final third. So many good openings were created, but they weren’t precise or tidy enough with the pass or the final finish.

“When you see how young my attackers are, Armstrong knows this league, he has a chance and he has that opening to finish. That was the difference. It’s not the day to criticize my attackers because when you see the second half, Rodon, if it passes to Piroe, it rolls in. James hits the bar on one of those days, and they weren’t more efficient than us.