Leeds United v Sunderland: Daniel Farke must axe favourite after stinker
Daniel Farke has to make a half-time change if Leeds United are to beat Sunderland at home on Monday night.
Leeds have dominated possession but have struggled to convert that into solid goal-scoring opportunities at Elland Road.
To make things worse, the Black Cats scored against the run of play via Wilson Isidor to send the visitors into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Daniel Farke has to be ruthless at half-time if Leeds United are to beat Sunderland
The Whites have to do better in the second period as they have the chance to go two points clear of Sheffield United.
The Blades had a one point lead going into the game and while they will still have a game in hand, Farke will certainly take the points over a game in hand.
He’s got to have a word with some of his players as they can do much better than they have in the first half of play.
For this, he’s got to take Ethan Ampadu off, despite the fact that he’s the skipper and bring on Pascal Struijk who’s on the bench.
The Welshman does not have to be dropped for the next game, but he’s clearly not at his best here and Farke cannot afford to be sentimental.
Ethan Ampadu has been struggling against Sunderland
While defending Isidor during the goal, Ampadu got far too close to the striker and a defender of his calibre should know better.
The French forward shielded the ball well from the 24-year-old defender and easily turned him to go clean through on goal.
This is certainly not the kind of defending Farke would expect from one of his most reliable players.
Not just for the goal, but Ampadu has been terrible all half and has been dribbled past on two occasions, per Sofascore.
He’s even lost both of his ground duels and of the three aerial duels he’s attempted, he’s just won one and has been second best in front of the Sunderland attackers.
Ampadu has not found any luck with his long passes either, misplacing both his attempts and having Struijk at the back may help calm things and give the hosts the licence to attack better in the second half.
Whether or not Farke makes the change at the break, remains to be seen.