Leeds Week in Review, Monday 2nd November: Winless Run Continues as Trafford Error Sinks Whites at Bournemouth
It's been a week where a promising point turned into a damaging defeat. Leeds started with a goalless draw at bottom-placed Sunderland, with Daniel Farke facing questions afterwards about open-play struggles despite the clean sheet (LeedsLive) (LeedsLive). James Trafford was proud of the defensive effort at the Stadium of Light and praised a team-mate's display, while Sunderland's Trai Hume also had kind words for a Leeds performer (Yorkshire Evening Post) (LeedsLive) (Yorkshire Evening Post) (LeedsLive). There was late drama too, with Ref Watch pundits disagreeing over a waved-away penalty shout involving Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and some off-camera talking points from the trip emerged as well (Yorkshire Evening Post) (Yorkshire Evening Post). Opta's updated supercomputer table weighed in on where Leeds, Sunderland and Newcastle might finish come the end of the season (Yorkshire Evening Post).
Sadly the mood soured on Saturday as Bournemouth punished Leeds at the Vitality Stadium. The Guardian described Leeds as the better side for the opening half-hour before a costly Trafford error let Evanilson in, and the Whites fell to defeat (The Guardian). Farke was blunt afterwards about the mistake and the manner of the loss, while also offering Trafford some advice to take forward (Yorkshire Evening Post) (LeedsLive) (LeedsLive). Captain Ethan Ampadu addressed the "reactionary" mood among supporters after the result, and BBC Sport suggested pressure could start to build on Farke if results don't improve soon (BBC Sport) (LeedsUnited.com) (LeedsLive). Fans were clearly frustrated too, with one supporter quoted by the BBC calling it an "absolute calamity" (BBC Sport). Farke also had words for wingers Dan James and Harry Wilson following the game (LeedsLive). Ahead of the match there had been team news intrigue, with a shock first Premier League start, a surprise absence, and doubts over Anton Stach and Noah Okafor who both missed out (Yorkshire Evening Post) (Yorkshire Evening Post) (Yorkshire Evening Post) (Yorkshire Evening Post) (LeedsLive). Bournemouth boss Marco Rose had spoken warmly of a Leeds attacking threat and outlined his side's plan before kick-off (Yorkshire Evening Post), while a former Whites player facing his old club suggested he wouldn't be troubled by any atmosphere (LeedsLive).
On the transfer front, there's plenty of noise around Dominic Calvert-Lewin. BBC Sport and talkSPORT both report he's poised to sign a new contract at Elland Road, even as Manchester United's interest appears to have cooled according to Sports Mole (talkSPORT) (BBC Sport) (Sports Mole). Elsewhere, Sports Mole reports Leeds face competition from Levante and Braga for Maccabi Tel Aviv's Issouf Sissokho, and are said to be eyeing a January move for Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi (Sports Mole) (Sports Mole). Contract situations for Lukas Nmecha and Ilia Gruev have also been flagged as they head towards next summer (Sports Mole), while Daniel James could be facing a crossroads in January after missing out on the squad against Sunderland (LeedsLive). New loan winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya is being encouraged to show more after limited appearances so far (Yorkshire Evening Post) (GiveMeSport).
It's been a good week for the women's team. Leeds United Women booked their place in the FA Cup Second Round with victory over Rotherham United, a tie that had previously needed rearranging (LeedsUnited.com) (LeedsUnited.com). Potential second round opponents have since been revealed (LeedsUnited.com). Manager Simon Wood made one change for the visit of York City Ladies and saw his side come through a seven-goal thriller, with Wood pleased to bank another three points (LeedsUnited.com) (LeedsUnited.com) (LeedsUnited.com). Abi Coley had spoken beforehand about wanting a win against York (LeedsUnited.com).
Away from results, Leeds United paid tribute to Barry Murphy, who has passed away (LeedsUnited.com). At Elland Road, the club confirmed development work is under way ahead of the next two home Premier League fixtures, including rail seating being installed in the South Stand (Yorkshire Evening Post) (LeedsUnited.com). Young defender Coban Bird has joined Hebburn Town on loan (LeedsUnited.com), and the club's U18s suffered a late defeat in a Derby fixture (LeedsUnited.com). Attention now turns to Tottenham Hotspur's visit to Elland Road, with Leeds eager to arrest their recent run (Sports Mole) (LeedsLive).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.





.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)
