Daniel Farke has new Leeds United problem as Southampton overrun Whites’ midfield
Leeds United were nowhere near their best as they crumbled against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday (30 September), with the entirety of Daniel Farke’s side all over the place.
The Whites particularly struggled in the middle of the park as they lost 3-1 on the south coast, with Glen Kamara and Ethan Ampadu left overrun by Russell Martin’s midfield trio in the central third of the pitch.
Both Kamara and Ampadu have impressed since making the summer switch to Elland Road, but Saturday’s defeat demonstrated the potential faults in Farke’s preferred system, especially against a side who press as highly as Southampton.
As Leeds Live reporter Beren Cross tweeted (30 September): “They’ve only played 4-2-3-1 this season, but it doesn’t feel like the shape is working at all. Ampadu and Kamara are completely overrun and the full-backs have no idea who to pick up or go with.”
So far this season there has been very little to suggest that Farke should change his system, given the excellent run the Whites have been both going forward and in defence, there has been no reason for the German coach to alter his tactics.
However, given the midfield depth at Elland Road following the incomings this summer, the Leeds boss does have the players at his disposal to play an extra man in the middle of the park, whether that be Ilia Gruev or Archie Gray it is clear against a three-man midfield, the Whites need an extra body.
One game does not make a season and Farke typically has his preferred ways of setting up a side, but Saturday’s match was as clear an indicator as United will get that they may need to change their system to consistently get results this season.
For Will Smallbone’s first-half goal, Ampadu and Kamara were both left in no man’s land as they looked unsure of who should be picking up the Irish midfielder as he ghosted into the penalty area with little to no pressure.
It was a surprise to not see the Leeds boss turn to his bench at half-time to alter his side and that decision could well suggest that we won’t see the Whites stray from their preferred 4-2-3-1 anytime soon.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has slammed Leeds’ lack of defensive organisation during the first-half against Southampton