Leeds United conclusion is clear after Newcastle United draw as Paraag Marathe shown transfer requirement — Yorkshire Post 31/8/25
By Tom Coates
When Daniel Farke reconvenes with his Leeds United players
at Thorp Arch, he could be forgiven for simply writing ‘final ball’ on a
whiteboard in massive capital letters.
His side’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United will, of course,
be scrutinised with the intense focus of a Premier League analysis department.
It will be reflected upon by a professional team of coaches,
with all the benefit of hindsight, but it is hard to imagine a conclusion
similar to the one drawn by fans not being reached.
Leeds simply did not give Nick Pope enough to do between the
sticks. 10 shots, one on target - it is the statistic that stands out on the
page.
While Farke will no doubt relay this to his players behind
closed doors, he is not one to read the riot act. Post-match, as is the norm,
Leeds' manager was calm.
Daniel Farke’s analysis
“I’m pleased," he said. "Not just with this game
today, but in general with our start to the season.
“Especially the home games - two games, four points, two
clean sheets. We played today against one of the best sides in the UK. We made
it difficult for them today.
“There was not much between the two teams. I think, in the
end, a well-deserved point for both sides. I think we probably had the better
first half, they were a bit more dominant in the second half.
"Although, we probably had the best chances in the
game. Especially in the second half, we’re not far away from gaining all three
points.
"But we don’t want to be too greedy. One point against
such a good Newcastle side, under the circumstances, without Ethan [Ampadu] or
Ao [Tanaka], to show this type of performance, competitive performance, to give
hardly a chance away and look dangerous on several occasions, makes me pretty
happy."
Improvement
Had the week prior to the visit of the Magpies transpired
differently, there may well have been even more frustration in the stands.
A humbling at the hands of Arsenal followed by a humiliation
at Sheffield Wednesday had done little for the confidence of the Elland Road
faithful.
In fact, it spoke volumes for drastic nature of the
improvement that home fans believed three points were within reach. It was not
even like the players in the final third were exempt from praise.
The ball stuck with Lukas Nmecha in a way it had not done
with Joel Piroe in previous games. Wilfried Gnonto was a livewire and Jayden
Bogle was relentless, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s movement was impressive.
Even the much-maligned Jack Harrison won plaudits for his endeavour after
stepping off the bench.
Alas, the killer pass or crucial touch was too often astray
or clumsy.
It was not just the performances in North London and South
Yorkshire that had built negativity around LS11.
Transfer requirement made clear
As is the norm in late August, build-up had been
overshadowed by transfer talk and on this occasion, Leeds’ ultimately
unsuccessful pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Facundo Buonanotte.
The 90 minutes of fast and furious action at Elland Road was
a welcome distraction, but focus was quickly shifted back post-match.
Leeds did not really need a reminder of their need to
strengthen in the final third but mishaps high up the pitch dished one up.
Chairman Paraag Marathe was in the building to hear the frustrated cries in
person.
Farke has emphasised it is about adding the missing
ingredient, rather than just bulking out the squad.
"[It is] not just numbers,” he said. “Because we have
enough numbers, just to add a bit of what we don’t have, and also quality. It’s
crucial to give us the best possible chance.”
There is a possibility, albeit one Leeds fans may not want
to entertain, that the window shuts with 10 the final tally of senior signings.
After his side’s draw with Newcastle, Farke was asked about
confidence regarding survival in the event the club’s business is complete.
