Daniel Farke's Focus on Fitness and 40 Points

Daniel Farke cut straight through the noise.

In a week when his own future, England call-ups and a growing unbeaten run could have dominated the agenda, the manager kept dragging the conversation back to what he believes matters: fitness, focus and 40 points.

Gruev back, Wilson blow

The first piece of good news came with Ilian Gruev. The midfielder, out since May with a knee injury, finally has minutes in his legs again.

“After this long-term injury it was important to get his first minutes in the under-21 game. He played nearly 90 minutes and it was good for his confidence and his body. He is available for the weekend,” Farke said.

One back, one out.

Harry Wilson has suffered a quad injury, a setback serious enough that he is expected to miss Wales’ fixtures during the international break as well. Joe Rodon remains sidelined too, stripping Farke of two important options at a time when his team’s form is inviting bigger ambitions.

Contract talk shut down

Those ambitions have inevitably led to questions about Farke’s own contract, especially after managing director Robbie Evans told BBC Sport that club and coach are “on the same page”.

Farke refused to fuel the storyline.

“No news from my side,” he said. “I spoke at the end of last season long, detailed, open and honest about the situation. I don't want to make a weekly soap opera of it. No-one wants a manager who is always talking about his future and his contract.”

The message was clear: he will not let his situation become a sideshow to a season that is gathering momentum.

Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence rewarded

That momentum has been helped by a striker reborn. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s sharp start to the campaign has earned him a recall to the England squad, and Farke did not hold back in his assessment.

“Fully deserved. A perfect start to the new season. He's scored goals and has delivered performances. He's played with a good confidence and is in a good rhythm. He definitely deserves this call-up. He's definitely one of the best strikers in this league.”

A manager in form praising a forward in form. It fits the mood around the club.

From ‘good period’ to proof of quality

The results stretch back beyond August. This isn’t a flash in the pan, Farke insists.

“It's not a coincidence any more. It's not just a good period, it's quality that we are delivering. Everyone can be proud of this and take lots of confidence.”

Talk of Europe has inevitably followed. Farke stamped on that, too, but in his own way.

“The first step is always to win 40 points and to make sure we do it as fast as possible. If we do it and there are still games left, we will definitely take it – but my only aim and only focus is to make sure we win the 40 points and play another Premier League season.”

The bar is set at survival, but there is an edge to his words: hit that mark early, and the season can open up.

Respect for Crystal Palace

Before any dreams of Europe, there is Crystal Palace.

“We face a really strong side. When I speak about Crystal Palace, I can't speak with more respect about them,” Farke said. “They have done exceptionally well, especially in the last seasons winning titles. They have done good business in the summer and I think they are stronger this season than last season.”

There was no attempt to downplay the challenge. Palace, strengthened and seasoned, arrive as a test of whether this run of form is built to last.

Break time, not down time

The looming international break might tempt some to ease off. Farke has no intention of doing that.

“We allow ourselves a chance to recover a bit more than is possible in normal time. Then, the work continues. Just because we don't have a game for a while doesn't mean we don't train for a while. There are still players here who need my attention. Sometimes there is more time for the detail and for younger players.”

Recovery, then refinement. Senior players reset; younger ones step into the spotlight on the training pitch.

Gruev back, Wilson out, Calvert-Lewin flying, the team humming and the manager batting away contract talk – the pieces are moving quickly. The question now is simple: can this side turn 40 points from a safety target into a platform for something far more ambitious?