Noah Okafor looks set to be rewarded by Daniel Farke after turning Leeds United corner
Leeds United are making a real go of securing their survival as early as possible this season.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds side fought back against Chelsea, as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Early on, it looked to be a disappointing day in the capital, but some half-time tweaks from the German turned proceedings around.
Lukas Nmecha dispatched a penalty in the 67th minute, before substitute Noah Okafor sent the away end into bedlam.
Nmecha has been praised for his performances, but the latter could also be set for a starring role at Elland Road now.
Noah Okafor should be rewarded for goalscoring form
Throughout this season, Okafor has struggled to impress in front of goal, which is the job the former AC Milan forward was brought to do.
His lack of goals made his eventual dropping from the team come as no surprise. In the last four games, Farke has only started the Swiss international on one occasion.
However, in that time, Okafor has also looked to be turning a corner, reacting to his lack of minutes in the best possible way.
In just his last two appearances, he has doubled his total Premier League goal tally, scoring twice in crucial games for the Peacocks.
It is a remarkable turnaround by the 25-year-old, who struggled against Championship side Derby just last month.
Okafor was poor against Derby, which set his recent benchings into motion.
Now, that form should surely be rewarded by the Leeds manager in the upcoming weeks.
- Read more: Daniel Farke could expose 49ers at Leeds United this weekend with Facundo Buonanotte call
Will Okafor start vs Birmingham City?
Farke admitted that he was unable to start Okafor against Chelsea due to the player’s traits, which meant he needed more time to rest.
However, with five days between their fixture against the London club and their FA Cup showdown against Birmingham City, the Swiss forward must surely be in line to start now.
Okafor played just 35 minutes at Stamford Bridge, so you would expect the attacker to be up to full speed this weekend.
- Leeds United are looking to reach FA Cup fifth round for just the fifth time in 15 seasons
- Last time Leeds and Birmingham met in the FA Cup, the Peacocks ran out as 2-1 winners in a third-round replay (January 2013)
In the form he is in, he must now be allowed to continue on that and build his confidence up. If he can keep up this level of scoring, then Leeds will surely be safe from relegation.
A combination of both an in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Okafor would be a test for any Premier League side to contain.