Leeds United's harmony in choppy waters paying off as Daniel Farke offers dressing room insight — Yorkshire Post 21/12/25

By Tom Coates

A month is a long time in football.

Leeds United could not get off the canvas in November, taking hit after hit in a bruising run of four straight defeats.

A gutsy second-half display at Manchester City was all there was to savour and fans were wondering how many more blows manager Daniel Farke could absorb.

There were more heavyweights on the horizon in December but Leeds have well and truly come out swinging.

After beating Chelsea and securing draws against Liverpool and Brentford, Leeds chewed up Crystal Palace and spat them out.

It was not always pretty - all four goals in the 4-1 win did come from set-pieces - but it was fast, furious and forceful.

"We are not in a position to dominate this league,” Farke said. “We are in a position, as the newly-promoted side, we have to fight nature with a knife between our teeth.

"Sometimes, you can have one, two, three good games on the bounce, even as a promoted side, but to show this consistency over several weeks against top opponents, this is really remarkable.

"I'm not surprised because I was always a believer in my boys and I work with them each and every day.”

The December revival has left fans and those watching from afar wondering what has been done to reverse the fortunes at Elland Road. The list is pretty long.

Farke has undoubtedly been more tactically flexible, evidenced by his switch to a 3-5-2 and the fact Joe Rodon was essentially playing like a wing-back when Leeds had the ball against Palace.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in full flow and after his brace under the Saturday night lights, has scored six goals across his last five games. The other scorers, Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach, are among many players who have rediscovered form.

However, it might be what Leeds have not done that is the primary fuel behind the resurgence.

The current crop have always appeared to be pretty united, a carefully compiled blend of positive personalities.

When the haymakers were landing on Leeds jaws in October and November, the blame game was not something the Whites played.

"There was never finger-pointing,” Farke said. “When someone is criticised, you got the feeling no one was left behind.

"We are there for the group. We win together, we lose together. It's not like 'okay, a different play is blamed and I'm happy, I can hide for a little bit'. You always got the feeling this group shows full responsibility and altogether this is really special, and one of the key facts we are where are in such a good spell.

“There's no replacement for this winning feeling. Success and winning always helps with the spirit but I have to praise these guys because the belief in themselves and the manner in which they interacted and were working together was second to none.”

In the Farke era, Leeds have consistently gone into Christmas on a high.

Back in 2023, Leeds steamrollered promotion race rivals Ipswich Town in a 4-0 win. A year later, the scoreline was repeated as Oxford United were brushed aside. Leeds’ boss has certainly enjoyed the festive period in the Elland Road dugout – even if it has been draining.

"I could do with a few less games to be honest,” joked Farke. “Because it’s also exhausting for the manager.

"You always have to come away with a different plan and work so hard. But of course, when you have momentum, you have to ride the momentum and use it. Of course, long may it continue.”

One man who is certainly riding the wave of his momentum is Calvert-Lewin. Farke again found himself faced with questions about the marksman’s World Cup hopes, with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel someone the Leeds manager has a strong relationship with.

He has been forthcoming with his praise for his marksman of choice and has challenged the 28-year-old to remain on the path towards Leeds hero status.

“Right now he’s on the on a path to be a top-class player for Leeds United and also a Leeds United hero,” Farke said. “But you know my attitude - I don’t like to speak about quality and top-class players just after a few weeks or a good couple couple of months.

“You have to show this with consistency over the whole season. But if he keeps going in this way and keeps delivering, then we would speak about an outstanding season. I want him to keep going, not to be happy with a good couple of months and a good few weeks - so he has to continue.”

The same could be said for Leeds as a collective. A month is indeed a very long time in football - and the Whites need to ensure the current warmth in LS11 is not iced over in January.