“We have to stay brave in the mind,” says Leeds ahead Noah Okafor, when requested how his new membership go about avoiding relegation from the Premier League this season. “I already feel like I’m long in this business and to be always confident is hard but the most important thing.”
Okafor, nonetheless solely 25, has discovered his ft rapidly since a summer time change from AC Milan. He spoke to Sky Sports activities from a venue in Manchester to launch PUMA’s new FUTURE 9 soccer boot, which he is worn to attain twice this time period – most notably in a 3-1 win at Wolves.
“We have to stay calm,” he continues, “I try to think about actions that can happen in a game, and it means as soon as the game starts, I’m fully ready.”
Leeds have collected 4 factors from their final two outings – in opposition to Chelsea and Liverpool, no much less – whereas scoring six targets, and have climbed out of the drop zone. It is a important turnaround from the 4 loses that proceeded these outcomes.
Explosive begins have been a principal half and Okafor believes starting video games with such positivity might help Leeds survive – they’ve scored the joint-most targets (5) within the opening quarter-hour of video games this time period.
“When I spoke with my friends in Italy, they tell me this league is so intense, it’s the best in the world. My experience is also that. In every game you have to start so strong because otherwise you won’t stand the pressure.”
Sunday 14th December 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
One other change for Leeds from the previous couple of video games has been influence from the bench, which was lacking throughout early elements of the season. Okafor has made 9 begins to date, together with a key position in final week’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Liverpool, earlier than all three of Daniel Farke’s substitutions on 68 minutes helped ship goalscoring influence.
“Sometimes we have three games in a week, so we need full focus for the whole 90. With this team, I’m never worried.”
I have been scoring targets with them, so for me that is proof. They’re so comfy on my ft and that’s how I carry out at my finest.
Little question Leeds have a battle on their palms to maintain tempo within the prime flight however it’s one Okafor plans to deal with head on. Having ridden a “difficult wave”, Leeds and Farke lastly discover themselves on extra strong floor, two factors away from West Ham in 18th.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on his finest scoring run in over 4 years, scoring in every of his final three appearances, with Farke’s newly put in 3-5-2 formation that means Okafor performs simply off the striker. Given the damage to Lukas Nmecha, it is a position he is possible occupy once more as Leeds journey to Brentford this weekend, dwell on Tremendous Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Leeds United and Chelsea
“Football is all about confidence. You have to go out as if you’re playing in the street with friends, otherwise if you make pressure on yourself, it doesn’t end good. If you have a team, fans and a coach that believes in you, you can play with a smile. I’m a player like this.”
Little question Leeds’ away type wants to enhance. It has been their Achilles heel to date this season and resolve will as soon as once more be examined by a Brentford facet who’ve received their final three dwelling video games. Solely three groups have a greater dwelling report than the Bees, actually.
Okafor has scored twice for Leeds since his summer time change from Serie A
“We can improve in every situation,” the Swiss worldwide says. “This is football. When we lose or make things bad, we have to learn, we have to be critical, that’s the best way for success. Even if it’s one per cent every day this helps a lot for the future. While you are believing you are not worrying.”
Talking at his press convention on Friday, Farke made a degree of claiming: “It’s important to be unpredictable. We want to take our opponents’ strengths away.” And Brentford have loads of weapons, albeit enter this recreation off the again of their first successive defeats below Keith Andrews.
Leeds must be primed to take benefit given their latest progress in the other way. Requested how his specific level of distinction, in a position to play a wide range of attacking roles, might help, Okafor completed by saying: “This is a team game, but I’m in a good way to keep this team in the league.”
Watch Brentford vs Leeds dwell on Sky Sports activities Premier League on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
