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Published Sep 20, 2026, 7:10 PM GMT+1
Daniel is an experienced football writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering the professional game, specialising in the Championship, Football League and Scottish football, alongside in-depth coverage of Norwich City, Celtic and Rangers.
A journalist since 2015, Daniel began his career writing for Fresh Press before progressing into a full-time writing and editing role, producing club-focused coverage for Read Norwich, Read Celtic, Read Liverpool and Read Arsenal. He later spent almost a year with Liverpool-based outlet Anfield Watch, where his work included conducting and transcribing interviews with figures including Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, former Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa and journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Daniel has worked with Snack Media (now Valnet) since 2021, contributing to Football FanCast as both a writer and editor. His work focuses particularly on player analysis, transfer insight and original football features, combining detailed knowledge of the game with research-driven assessment of players, clubs and potential moves.
His specialist knowledge of Norwich City and the Football League has also seen him contribute to BBC Norfolk and assist DAZN with research for commentary broadcasts. As a Norwich City season-ticket holder, Daniel brings a level of first-hand knowledge of the club and its players that complements his wider expertise across the Championship and EFL. His Norwich coverage has also featured in publications including the Coventry Telegraph and Liverpool Echo.
Alongside his Football League expertise, Daniel has covered Celtic and Rangers extensively, developing a strong understanding of Scottish football. His work gives readers informed transfer assessment, detailed player analysis and authoritative insight into clubs and competitions he has spent years following and reporting on.
Leeds United continued their unbeaten start to the season in the Premier League with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
The Whites head into the three-week international break in fifth place in the top-flight after winning two and drawing three of their opening five matches in the division.
REUTERS/Chris RadburnWhilst three draws is not ideal, as they would have preferred to have won the matches, going into the first international break of the season without any losses is a big achievement.
It could also have been even better for Daniel Farke's outfit because they came incredibly close to sealing all three points against the Eagles.
How Leeds failed to beat Crystal Palace
Both teams had half-chances throughout the match at Elland Road on Sunday, as the away side went close with a free-kick and Ao Tanaka fired a volley well over the bar from 12 yards out.
The very best chance of the match, though, fell to the home team. James Justin burst down the right flank and whipped a terrific cross into Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who hit his shot straight at Walter Benitez.
Unmarked, with the entire goal to aim at, the England international was unable to direct his shot towards either corner, which allowed the Palace goalkeeper to get his body behind the ball in the middle of the goal.
|
Minutes |
90 |
|
xG |
0.52 |
|
Shots |
1 |
|
Goals |
|
|
Pass accuracy |
50% |
|
Key passes |
|
|
Big chances created |
|
|
Duels won |
5/10 |
There was talk in the build up to the game about Calvert-Lewin being the best signing of the 49ers era, after his two goals against Newcastle United, but his miss against Palace shows that he still has a way to go.
Action Images via Reuters/Ed SykesThe Englishman can still be inconsistent with his finishing, missing 23 'big chances' in the Premier League since the start of last season, and one of his teammates may have a better claim to be the best signing made by the owners.
9/10 Leeds star was a monster against Crystal Palace
Whilst Leeds should have won the match through Calvert-Lewin's chance near the end, they were only in the position to win the game because of one of their stars at the other end of the pitch.
The 49ers pushed the boat out to sign James Trafford from Manchester City in the summer transfer window for a club-record fee of £40m in an attempt to finally nail down the number one position at Elland Road.
No Leeds goalkeeper has finished a league season on the positive side of Goals (xG) Prevented since the 49ers completed a full takeover of the club in 2023, as Illan Meslier, Karl Darlow, and Lucas Perri all conceded more than they were expected to.
James Trafford has bucked the trend and looks to be a star with the quality to be a difference-maker for the Whites between the sticks with the big moments that he can provide.
REUTERS/Andrew BoyersThe England international looks like the best signing made of the 49ers era because he has hit the ground running and made a real and tangible impact on their Premier League results.
In the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, Trafford put in a 9/10 performance between the sticks with several impressive stops to prevent the Eagles from taking the lead, particularly at the start of the second half, saving all five of the shots against him.
|
Appearances |
5 |
|
Goals conceded |
3 |
|
Clean sheets |
2 |
|
Saves made |
20 |
|
Save percentage |
87% |
|
Goals prevented |
+0.94 |
|
Error led to shot |
|
|
Error led to goal |
Yeremy Pino attempted to find the bottom left corner with a clever free-kick from the edge of the box, reversing his shot through bodies to an unsighted Trafford, only for the Leeds goalkeeper to brilliantly adjust his body to get down low to tip the shot wide.
It was a terrific save and one that stopped the Eagles from taking a 1-0 lead in the match, which could have ultimately cost Leeds the game if he had let that in, and that is why it was a performance worthy of a 9/10 player rating.
REUTERS/Chris RadburnTrafford is the most expensive signing of the 49ers era to date, having been signed for £40m this summer, but he already looks worth the money and more.
The 49ers knew that they had to get a difference-making goalkeeper after the team's struggles in that position in recent years, and they went out and got an England international who has won trophies, with Manchester City, and his pedigree is showing.
He is currently on course to become the first Leeds goalkeeper of the 49ers era to end a season with a positive record on Goals Prevented, due to the quality of his shot-stopping ability.
After delivering a monstrous performance against Palace, making five saves and recovering the ball 16 times, it is hard to look past him already being the best signing of the 49ers' reign.
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