LUFC: Christiansen and Cooper talk new signings, discipline and Millwall.

This weekend Championship hopefuls Leeds United host Millwall in a must win game for both sides. Leeds come into this game without a league win or even goal in 3 outings. Last time out was away at Ipswich where midfielder Eunan O’Kane saw red, speaking in the club press conference this morning, captain Liam Cooper said: “If Eunan was on the pitch there was only one winner. I thought we started the game well and was creating chances – in another day we win that game with 11 men.”

The red card was Leeds’ fifth of the season and second in 2 games, as well as this Leeds’ have accumulated 50 Yellow cards in the league – a league high. “I’ve spoken individually with some players but also with the whole team” said Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen. “I will not accept this situation… if we look back at the end of the season and we need 3 or 4 points then we will complain about this situation that could’ve been avoided.”

Adding to the topic of discipline at Leeds, Cooper claimed: “We’re not a bad group… it’s finding the balance with the officials and the referee’s – not being too soft or too over the top.” After the announcement of Laurens De Bock from Club Brugge and last night Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough, Christiansen has been active in the transfer market. “We’ve welcomed them with open arms” said Cooper, “I’ve played against Adam in the past and he’s a very good player, very good with the ball at his feet… both signings look really food and I can’t wait for the fans to take them in.”

Christiansen said that De Bock will feature against Millwall tomorrow, but Forshaw has some “small problems” ruling him out. Forward Caleb Ekuban is also ruled out with injury. Last time the two teams met was in September. In good form Leeds went to The Den but were defeated by a single goal. “That defeat hurt” said Christiansen, “we have to reflect on that game knowing what we could’ve done better, and I believe with the experience we have now we will look differently at this game.”

Leeds failed to score at The Den earlier in the season, and have failed score in their last 3 league outings. “We have created enough opportunities to score the goals” said Christiansen, “against Forest we could’ve scored 3 or 4, but again it’s about confidence. Once one goal goes in they will go in week-by-week… I believe the last games have not been so bad. It wasn’t the result we wanted against Ipswich but when you play with 1 less in the championship, it is very difficult.”

Cooper added “We’ve played in these kind of games before, we know what to expect and what type of team they are… We know we can be a match for anyone in this league and we’ve proved that on many occasions – We’ve just got to keep ourselves motivated and as captain that’s what I’ll do.”