Leeds United: Graham Smyth speculates over ‘unlikely’ Daniel Farke call at Elland Road
Journalist Graham Smyth believes it is “unlikely” Daniel Farke will tinker with his Leeds United attack during a busy run of fixtures, with the argument against it “so weak”.
Leeds are third in the Championship ahead of a run of games that will see them play seven times between this coming weekend and New Year’s Day.
Any unforeseen injuries or suspension issues aside, Smyth believes Farke will want to continue selecting Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe, Daniel James and Georginio Rutter in the final third.
In an article for the Yorkshire Evening Post [6 December], Smyth said: “With his first choice attackers in such good form, Farke is unlikely to want to make wholesale changes at this stage, not when things are going so well and the argument for dropping players is so weak.
“But the physical toll that December will take might allow him to dip into his squad depth a little more substantially.”
Free-scoring Leeds
Leeds’ attack has been on fire this season, so much so that Wilfried Gnonto – linked with a mega-money move to Everton in the summer – is struggling to get much of a look in.
Farke substituted all four of those aforementioned first-choice attackers in the 3-2 win over Middlesbrough, but only after the clock had hit 80 minutes.
Gnonto, Patrick Bamford, Jaidon Anthony were all introduced, as well as midfielder Ilia Gruev, and each of those will wonder when they will next start.
The problem is, United have 34 league goals this season – only Ipswich Town (41) have more in the division – and that is largely with the same attacking line-up.
Changes are surely inevitable between games as the fixtures ramp up, though, and whoever it is that comes into the XI, they have to take full advantage of their opportunity.
In other Leeds United news, a Sky Sports pundit has shared what a Whites player with a big price tag around his neck has told him.