Daniel Farke calls time on Luke Ayling as Joel Piroe issue emerges – Three things learned in Leeds United vs Huddersfield
Daniel Farke saw his Leeds United side bounce back from a disappointing midweek defeat at Stoke in a big way by blowing away Huddersfield Town in the first half at Elland Road.
The damage was done before the break as a Crysencio Summerville-inspired Whites side were four up on Saturday (28 October), before taking their foot off the accelerator and winning 4-1, as the Dutchman recorded two goals and two assists on his return to the starting XI.
Dan James scored the other two on a day where the visitors were abject for 45 minutes while the likes of Georginio Rutter and Ethan Ampadu were also excellent.
Despite a performance where the many positives were clear for all to see there remains some negatives for elements of this Leeds United side, and questions for Farke to deal with as he prepares for a trip to the league leaders Leicester City on Friday (3 November).
Here, MOT Leeds News has three things learned from the 4-1 victory over Darren Moore’s side.
Summerville has become what Gnonto was supposed to be this year
The Whites fought throughout the summer transfer window to prevent Willy Gnonto leaving in the face of various bids from Everton.
That was partly because he was one of the only players the club had the power to keep due to a lack of relegation release clause, but also because they felt he could be a star in the Championship this term.
Instead, his season has been interrupted by the transfer hold-out and injury and seen both Summerville and James surge ahead of him in the pecking order as the pair have hit top form, with the Dutchman particularly impressive currently in scoring four and assisting two in his past two starts.
A lingering injury from preseason is preventing Summerville from playing every game, but after being subject to criticism at times over a lack of decisiveness and end product he is currently answering that in a big way and proving to be impossible for second tier defences to live with.
If transfer interest remains in the January window and Gnonto again wants to go because he isn’t featuring enough then the form of his teammate might now tempt the club to consider taking the money if a big offer is put on the table.
In an ideal world the Italian international would stay as he is sure to be needed still, but the advances his good friend has made this term are overshadowing him, with Summerville the star of this Leeds United side right now.
Ayling is almost at the end of the line
Ayling has been an admirable part of the Leeds United squad for over seven years and 266 appearances now, and can still do a job on his day, but Farke looks to have made a decisive choice to move on from the 32-year-old as a regular.
The German had fielded teenage midfielder Archie Gray at right-back for the past three matches but finally gave him a rest against the Terriers, only to turn instead to Jamie Shackleton in to the back line rather than Ayling.
The veteran was given half an hour off the bench once the game was long won but with Djed Spence presumed the likely starter when the Tottenham loanee returns from injury it now looks like he may be as low as fourth-choice.
With his contract up at the end of the campaign it is looking very likely that this will be his last in a Whites shirt.
Farke has to solve developing Piroe problem
While the likes of Summerville, James and Rutter are in such sublime form it won’t matter a huge amount, but after a strong start to life at Leeds big-money summer signing Joel Piroe’s off days are increasing in frequency.
He hadn’t gone three games without a goal since February prior to the current dry patch [Leeds Live, 28 October] and not only is he not finding the net currently but he is barely getting into the game as his dynamic teammates take centre stage.
His goalscoring quality, at least at this level, isn’t in question, but with Farke continuing to field him in an advanced midfield role rather than as the central striker he was originally thought to have been signed as it suggests the adaptation process isn’t going quite according to plan.
Five goals for the club isn’t a dreadful return so far, but if others weren’t playing so well the struggle to regularly get the best out of the former Swansea man would be much more of a concern.
Piroe had been alternating strong and anonymous performances to begin his Leeds United career earlier this season, but as others have gone from strength to strength more recently he now has just one goal in his last six appearances.
With Patrick Bamford already low on form and confidence Farke is at risk of having a second striker struggling to get in rhythm, even if he doesn’t seem concerned just yet [Phil Hay, 28 October].
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have played a role in an “unfair” imminent sacking.