CLOSET LEEDS fan Malick Thiaw is desperate to end Daniel Farke’s unbeaten run – and inflict misery on pal Noah Okafor.
Newcastle’s German defender, 24, scored the second and helped record a first clean sheet in 13 during the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
It was just the second time this term Champions League Toon have won back-to-back top-flight games. And it can now provide a springboard for success on four fronts.
And with Wednesday’s Leeds game followed by home clashes with Bournemouth in the FA Cup and the first leg of the League Cup semi final against Manchester City, the £35m summer signing from AC Milan feels it is time to shine.
Thiaw said: “We need to try to build on it. We have a strong team.
The table is really, really tight. So each game is really important at this time of the season.
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“This is our moment, our time of the season right now and where we can build on our back-to-back wins.”
Leeds, looking to make it eight-games unbeaten, are a side Thiaw has watched closely. They are managed by fellow German Farke and have compatriots Anton Stach and Lukas Nmecha within their ranks. Though it is a former team-mate he is desperate to stop most.
He said: “They’re a really good team. They’ve changed the system now too. I’ve watched some of their games.
“I have some friends that play there as well. Noah Okafor, I played with him in Milan. They have a good team. It will be a tough game.”
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Skipper Bruno Guimaraes was once again instrumental against Palace, breaking the deadlock before providing the corner for Thiaw to seal it.
Giant 6ft 4in centre-half Thiaw said: “The best thing about Bruno’s leadership is his performances on the pitch. He’s always somebody that backs it up, every game he’s really consistent. He’s somebody I can always trust when I have the ball or I’m under pressure. I can always give him the ball.
“He always speaks to us about what we can do better too. He has everything. He’s really a top, top player, what he does on the pitch speaks for itself, he’s just pure magic.”
Guimaraes is Newcastle’s joint-top scorer with seven in the Premier League.
Thiaw said: “He’s on seven now? Really? Bruno? Oh, wow. Wow. If he’s on seven then let’s hope he’ll get more than 10. But I don’t want to put any pressure on him.”
The victory also saw Lewis Miley, 19, continue to excel as makeshift right-back despite boss Eddie Howe having England internationals Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier back from injury.
The Geordie, a midfielder by trade, completed 100 per cent of his 59 passes, the most in the game, as well as showing an attacking threat with the assist for Guimaraes and successfully producing five dribbles.
Thiaw added: “This guy is incredible. I remember the first week I was here, I knew him from before, but I saw in training the quality he has as a midfield player. But then he even surprised me with how well he can play as a right-back.
“The composure he has, the one-against-one defending, how good he is. He’s quick too and really comfortable on the ball. He’s a great player. Newcastle should be really happy to have him.
“Football is not about age. It’s about performance and he’s one of the guys who leads actually with his performances.”
But even though academy graduate Miley is excelling in his new-found role, Howe still views his future as being in the centre.
He said: “I would still consider him as a midfielder who is playing and doing an unbelievable job for the team at right-back. That’s my feeling. I’m sure if you ask Lewie, he’d probably say the same thing, but this is giving him a way to play games and it’s benefiting the team currently.
“The team has benefited from his composure and ability on the ball, and his defensive performances have been spot on. We’ve got players coming back from injury who can add a lot in that position as well. I’ll just make a decision based on the next game, and who knows what that will be. It’s a great problem.”
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