Daniel Farke frustrated with Leeds United ace in off-camera moment v Oxford
Graham Smyth shared that Daniel Farke was left frustrated by Leeds United ace Ethan Ampadu after he played a “needless” over-the-top ball to Sam Byram against Oxford on Saturday.
The defender was put into the Whites’ starting XI for the first time since returning from injury and made his presence more than known.
The West Yorkshire outfit are still second in the table despite their 4-0 victory and are just three points behind league leaders, Sheffield United.
Writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post website (22 December), Smyth shared an insight into Farke’s frustration about what Ampadu did.
“Farke holding his arms out in questioning frustration as Ethan Ampadu played an over-hit and needless ball over the top that Sam Byram was never going to reach,” he wrote.
Leeds United will be happy to see Ethan Ampadu back in action
After coming off the pitch almost three months ago injured, it was no doubt a relief for Leeds’ fans to see their captain play a full 90 minutes against Oxford.
In fact, Saturday’s victory was the first time since the Welshman was injured that he has started for Farke’s team.
And, even though he was used as a centre-back as cover for Pascal Struijk, who was benched with a knock, you could tell the difference his presence in the team made to his team’s performance.
The Welshman’s defensive capabilities coupled with his immense leadership skills are just two of the things the former Chelsea man brings to the table.
The Whites have been in more than decent form recently, so, it’s hard to see how his reintroduction to the team won’t spur them on to earn Premier League promotion.
The Blades are the ones currently topping the table and if they slip up at any point in the build-up to the end of the season, Farke and his men need to be ready to capitalise on that and, with Ampadu now back among their ranks, it’s hard to see how that won’t be a likely outcome.
In other Leeds news, a BBC pundit has shared his verdict on whether the Whites will earn Premier League promotion this term.
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