Costa - good to have that one wrapped up?Yes we were waiting for a solution and we've found one. We had honest talks about it bt from both sides it's better this topic is out of the way. We wish him luck.
Injury newsJamie will miss another game. His shoulder will miss a game. Byram, we have to see, we'll make a late call but his situation is better than last time, it's three games in seven days, an extra 24 hours to last time and that makes a big difference. I'm too concerned but we have a session this afternoon and I will talk to him.
Joe Rodon is alright, Jaidon with his knock I would say is 50/50. Today he is much improved but 50/50
On AnthonyI was pleased with his first performance and I hope he's available but I would say 50/50.
On the fans and Wednesday's atmosphereWhen you play 46 games and two cup competitions, you can't burn the candle at both ends, you have to wait for moments to hit top gear. Sometimes you need to just control a game and be calm. Our supporters are always great, they are pretty special and unique. It's up to us to entertain and I would say the game against Bristol is really crucial, until September it was really hard work but we're in a really good position now and we want to cement this position. It's crucial and we need a buzzing Elland Road. We need to them to carry us and it's our responsibility to work hard and be at our best but they can help us. For me it's one of the most difficult and complicated games we've played so far.
On the tableNo because I'm not addicted to the table after 11 games. It's not like it;s important where you are after 11 games. We've had a really good spell with many good defensive performances, it would be a perfect final finish before the international break. It's important and we need to be on it.
How do you pick between your centre-backs?They are all different. Each game brings different tactical necessities. It depends on the game and the moment of the game and timing
Are the loan players in your plans?It's not too much my topic, I don't have the time or energy, the players with us need all my attention. I'm not too concerned about the players out on loan. We follow them closley and when there is some time like the international break, we'll do this
Farke on Perkins not playingI don't want to talk about the players out on loan. I respect that each and every club has its own business and the player has to make sure they're successful. I won't comment on the decisions of other players.
Who plays left back without Shackleton and Byram?Not a huge amount but we'll have options on the pitch. We might have to change a player who is not used to playing such a situation. It would be tricky (should have signed a left back like fans said then)
On the Rutter and Piroe debateI get the feeling we are discussing this topic in every press conference. We always speak about Rutter and Piroe and I understand, everyone has opinions. Let's make a deal, I give you my lenghty thoughts and then don't ask me again. It lasts a while.
Firstly I want to play players always in their best position but this means also when you talk about Rutter, Bamford, Piroe, just one of them can be on the pitch, they all want to play striker. I also like to have two or three of them on the pitch. We were lacking goals from deeper positions and you can't rely on goals from the striker.
Secondly, your best position always differs between clubs. It's different to score 20 goals for a club who is fighting relegation or fighting for the top positions. It's a different ask. With all respect, i think it's different if you have to score 20 goals for Swansea than Leeds United. At Swansea he was the main man, here he has other players. It'sa different role. This is something we must not forget. I rate Swansea but at times they were sitting deeper and were reluctant. Joel, there are always different qualities and some of his tempt me to play him in the striker position, his finishing of course. I struggle to find players in the whole country with his finishing. But for us, we want the ball at each and every moment. We want a player to lead the line with intelligence. We need a striker who stretches it with running behind and smart movement. but, with all respect to Joel he's not the lightning quick player who stretches the line so he arrives late with instrictive finish. If our striker has to fulfil other tasks then he's perhaps not always the perfect option up front.
After Millwall, Ipswich, Watford, we are singing the song of Piroe, but when he doesnt score it's because he's in the wrong position, it's not healthy.
The second to last one, I'm just thinking about the team. I'm not here to win the golden boot. I'm thinking about the team being successful. It's important that our strikers in total are there. In respect to Swansea, they played him up front, but they didn't win the title. We need players all other the pitch that score.
Also. Piroe has scored four in seven and if we continues on that average we are happy. We need also the goals of Bamford, Rutter.
Really my last point. I stay humble and I don't overrate my position. I want to support my players and help them but I have won the league twice and I know what is necessary. You need goals from everywhere.
Really my last point now. I was a striker, I started my career at a small club and the striker won the golden boot and we had to sell him. Two more times. I went to Dortmund, I had a striker, he won the golden boot. FIve seasons in a row my strikers won the golden boot. Then I went to England to join Norwich, we signed Pukki and he won the golden boot twice. I went to Gladbach, signed Thuram, he scored double figures and he played in a World Cup final. When it comes to strikers I know my business and when it comes down to winning this league, I know my business.
Let's not talk about this again. Keep going and speculating, that's OK, but let's not talk about it in a press conference.
Sorry for my answer I'm already in game
On VARI don't have strong thoughts if I'm honest, when you're on the wrong side of the decision you think why don't we have VAR but when you're ont he right side, I still feel this. I like fair judgement and I don't want a gift. I'm a believer that it makes the game more fair but the emotions are not there.
Is it tough to build momentum with so many international breaks?I take the situation like this. When you're in good rhythm you like to keep going. Obviously you're concerned when may players are away and you hope about workload and that they don't come back with injuries. It's not that helpful that we have international players but we have to adapt to it.
How do you get work into them during this period?It depends. So for Byram it's important to calm the load but others need to work more. It's important in the first week and the beginning of the first week to calm the load and maybe days off. The second week then leads into the next game. You have to listen to the data and also your gut feeling.
Do you prefer the quiet periods or hectic moments?It depends, as a player there is nothing better than playing and as a coach you have to make decisions but the adreneline of Elland Road, there is no better feeling. As a player I'd play every day, I'd rather do that than run but as a coach it changes the point of perspective.
