Graham Smyth reveals ‘last thing’ Daniel Farke wants at Leeds United
Graham Smyth insists “sympathy is the last thing” Daniel Farke wants after Leeds United conceded a controversial goal in their 1-1 home draw with West Brom.
Leeds were furious that the visitors’ 52nd-minute opener in Friday’s [18 August] Championship clash was allowed to stand as Jayson Molumby’s strike clearly deflected in off the arm of Brandon Thomas-Asante.
The Whites were the better side on the night and would have claimed a first win of the season if not for the heroics of Alex Palmer, who made four saves in total, but Luke Ayling’s header did at least land them a point.
In his review of the game for the Yorkshire Evening Post [19 August], Smyth said: “Perhaps, given the circumstances the Whites find themselves in, the footballing Gods took pity and decided against a complete travesty of a result.
“But sympathy is the last thing Farke wants right now and there was nothing gifted to them en route to Luke Ayling’s fine headed equaliser or the point that it earned.
“This was the very least Leeds deserved from a game in which they worked tirelessly to carve out openings at one end and deny them at the other.”
Tough to take
Leeds struggled to get going against Cardiff City in their opening game before recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2, and they also looked off the pace in last week’s 1-0 loss to Birmingham City.
The outcome was not too dissimilar against West Brom in that supporters ultimately went home disappointed, but Corberan’s side did at least put in a good shift.
United could have won by a few goals on a different day but, as is very often the case in the Championship, it does not always work out that way.
Farke could really have done with a first win since early April to lift the mood of supporters, and the pressure is now starting to grow ahead of next week’s trip to Ipswich Town.
Before then, the German will be occupied by transfer activity, with the futures of Willy Gnonto, Luis Sinisterra and Tyler Adams surely set to be sorted in the coming days.
It has been quite the baptism of fire for Farke, but did anyone really expect it to be any different?
In other Leeds United news, one wantaway player’s exit could be confirmed very shortly.