The three Cs - Farke's transfer policy

Cost, capability and character are the three Cs which form the criteria for Daniel Farke to successfully complete a signing.

We will probably never know how close he came to landing Southampton striker Cameron Archer but the idea of Saints letting their £15m top scorer go six months into his deal was probably not convenient.

Farke would not mention Archer by name but reminded everyone: "I never ruled out a lucky addition, but none of the targets ticked the boxes."

He showed no need of a quantum of solace after failing to add to his squad in the transfer window when he spoke to the press for 40 minutes prior to tonight's trip to Coventry City.

Farke joked how glad he was that he did not have to speak until the summer about transfers in a market which whips up excitement of a bygone time.

"Twenty years ago if you wanted suspense you were sitting in front of a James Bond movie," mused Farke. "Nowadays we're sitting on deadline day with two hours to go in front of the breaking news with reporters at one training ground or the other with some rumours or reports.

"It's probably why we have to wait so long for the next James Bond film because you don't need suspense any more as you have it in the transfer window. I'm not a big fan of this."

But talk he did. A 13-minute answer giving his reaction to United's quiet window and why he is unperturbed by Leeds' direct rivals all strengthening. Distil his message and it leaves the following:

"I trust my group. It means we are sitting after 30 games in the top position with 63 points. I don't see one reason why this group cannot finish in the top positions."

In a week when Leeds showed shades of the 70s almost 53 years on from the 7-0 mauling of Southampton with a repeat of the scoreline against Cardiff City, a maxim their legendary manager of the time would use seems apposite for Farke.

Conviction, confidence and courage were the three Cs which Don Revie would ask of his players when they took to the field. He put his faith in a tight band of players. Farke has the same trust in his.

After that pummelling in 1972, Southampton's Jimmy Gabriel said of Leeds United they had "reached the stage where they could destroy any side." Albeit in the second tier, the same could be said of Farke's men, providing they are not blighted by injury before May.

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