Graham Smyth sums up Leeds United FA Cup dilemma that fans feel

Leeds United will hope to take a successful first step on the road to Wembley this lunchtime when they visit former Championship rivals Derby County in the third round of the FA Cup.

Over half a century has passed since the Whites last reached the final of world football’s most historic cup competition and that brought a shock Wembley defeat against a Sunderland side then plying their trade in the second tier of the English game. That loss came just 12 months after Leeds’ last FA Cup final triumph as Allan Clarke grabbed the only goal in a meeting with Arsenal to help the Whites take the honours in the year the competition celebrated its centenary.

The Whites have not gone beyond the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup since the turn of the millennium and have only reached the fifth round on three occasions in the last 20 years - so it would be safe to say there is room for improvement in the competition. However, there is also an argument to suggest Daniel Farke and his players should prioritise their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League after a run of just one defeat in their last eight games helped them move eight points clear of the drop zone.

That point may well provide quite the dilemma for Leeds fans, who will naturally dream of seeing their heroes get their hands on the FA Cup for the first time since 1972 - and the YEP’s Graham Smyth has given his take on the dilemma facing Farke ahead of the trip to Pride Park.

What has Graham Smyth said about Derby County v Leeds United?

Speaking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth said: “There's always a bit in me that sees an FA Cup game coming up and sees a load of changes and just thinks, this is going to be another classic of the genre of team that should be strong enough to win, doesn't have any cohesion and momentum and loses to a side they should be technically superior to. I wouldn't be all that displeased if Leeds went out of the FA Cup.

“I have to be honest with you. Yes, I like the idea of a free weekend in February. Also, I like the idea of Leeds not picking up on necessary injuries. Do I think they're going to win the FA Cup? No, I know that this goes against everything within you. I know that you're screaming right now. We're going to see some performance of anger. I wouldn't be that upset if they lost this Sunday, to be brutally honest with you. At the same time, if you said to me, would you like to go to Wembley again, Graham? Yes, I would. So there's two sides to it.”

What has Daniel Farke said about Derby County v Leeds United?

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Whites boss said: “Biggest dream is to make sure we stay in the Premier League, this has to be the priority. Don’t want to come across as over-ambitious, not realistic for us as a newly-promoted side to win the FA Cup but we have shown in one game, against one of the top sides we are capable of getting results. Also have to be respectful of an away game against Derby County, we know how difficult it is. I also found it really difficult to win against John Eustace in the Championship so the players have to help me a little bit.”

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