Daniel Farke: Junior Firpo ‘cannot hide’ after Leeds United loss v Southampton
Daniel Farke has revealed that Junior Firpo is “always self-critical” and says the defender “cannot hide” following his role in the decisive goal as Leeds United lost 2-1 against Southampton on 4 May.
Firpo’s hestiation after thinking the ball had gone out of play allowed Saints full-back Kyle Walker-Peters to beat him easily and deliver the low cross from which Will Smallbone scored what turned out to be the winner.
Farke explained that he would not discuss the incident with the player immediately, but is sure the player knows he made a mistake.
Farke is quoted by Leeds Live as saying in his post-match press conference (4 May): “Junior cannot hide how the game developed. Fantastic in the last weeks with his performances and assists, [but] he knows he played a big part in the second goal.
“Emotional player, always self-critical. Have to leave him alone to speak about it tomorrow.”
Junior Firpo can blow hot and cold for Leeds United
Leeds fans will be accustomed, by now, to Firpo’s propensity to blow hot and cold.
What the Brazilian offers going forward is well-documented – his seven Championship assists this season can only be bettered by Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville among Leeds players [Transfermarkt].
Additonally, his 3.18 touches in the attacking penalty area – per 90 in the Championship this season – demonstrate an uncommon aptitude for forward play from a full-back [FBref].
However, he can be erratic defensively or get caught out of position and clearly does not possess the same level of quality against the ball as he does on it.
That can make him a frustrating figure – a hero one minute and a villain the next. Farke’s depiction of him as a self-critical player demonstrates his desire to improve, though, and Leeds fans will hope he can learn from this moment and avoid similar mishaps in the playoff semi-finals against Norwich City on 12 May and 16 May.
In other Leeds news, Richard Keys and Andy Gray have reacted immediately to the Whites failing to secure automatic promotion.
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