Leeds United solution to Daniel Farke problem ‘high on the agenda’ at Thorp Arch
After the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, a solution to the struggles Leeds United face against organised and disciplined sides is now high on the agenda for Daniel Farke at Thorp Arch, according to Joe Donnohue.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist shared that, given the likelihood as things stand that Leeds may face Sunderland again should they both qualify for the playoffs, they will need to find a way to beat their deep block.
This comes after Farke’s side were held to a frustrating 1-0 defeat in which they struggled to create notable opportunities and were restricted from dominating in their usual style.
“Sunderland’s setup was one of the more tactically intriguing Leeds have faced this season,” wrote Donnohue for the Yorkshire Evening Post [14 December], “And certainly problematic for Farke and his coaching staff.”
“Earlier in the campaign, Leeds toiled against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday at home, but in recent months have found a way to break down teams intent on sitting deep, often through exposing their opponents’ own ill-discipline in maintaining a resolute defensive structure.
“Farke’s task is to innovate and conjure solutions to such an approach, but working in his favour is the fact not every team in this division – in fact, decidedly few – boast the tactical flexibility, quality or personnel to carry out Sunderland’s game-plan.
“That is not to say a fix is not high on the agenda inside Thorp Arch video suites, it very much is.”
Leeds need to be adaptable
While their current style of play can dominate most teams at this level, if Leeds want to earn promotion at the first time of asking this season, they will need to find more than one way to win. The Sunderland defeat proved that there is a way to bring Farke’s team down.
The goalscoring heights reached so far this season have earned Leeds plenty of praise and have made them a fearsome opponent, but Sunderland proved if you can remain disciplined while restricting the number of opportunities, they are beatable.
While that is, of course, easier said than done, the blueprint is there. Sunderland will be a side, similar to Leeds, looking to earn promotion likely through the playoffs this season, and with that blueprint now set, they will know how to win if it comes to it.
Farke and his team will need to work on a way to combat that which has become a clear weakness in recent weeks despite the eventual results and ensure they do not get found out.
In other Leeds United news, Patrick Bamford revealed a text he received from Kalvin Phillips.