Leeds United win over Derby important for two reasons but Daniel Farke mindset may be set — Leeds Live 12/1/26

Sunday will have done little to sway Daniel Farke's mind on several aspects of his Leeds United team

Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter

Macclesfield Town’s giant killing of Crystal Palace meant Leeds United were never going to be the story of the weekend with a defeat, but Sunday's tie with Derby County was still important for momentum and overall morale.

After Wednesday’s heartbreak at Newcastle United, it was key that Leeds showed resolve, resilience to bounce back and a spine. The first half was very forgettable but the second half displayed the mentality that was required from a team that should be beating a mid-table Championship outfit.

Even when going in a goal down, Leeds will have felt they had the upper hand due to the chances they created. The scoreline of 3-1, courtesy of James Justin’s stoppage time goal, better reflected the real gap between the two sides in the second half.

Momentum is key and any win obviously is conducive for that. It gives encouragement to those on the fringes that they still can have a role to play this season when called upon, which feeds into the overall feel-good factor inside the club.

Farke left many scratching their heads with his team selection, not so much over the eight changes but what line-up he would deploy. Ethan Ampadu, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Jaka Bijol undertaking centre-back warm ups ahead of kick-off gave away that it would be a three-at-the back with the final system being 3-4-1-2.

The first half saw Leeds look very disjointed with the rotations clearly bringing up some teething problems, which culminated in a 1-0 half time deficit, after Joel Piroe's penalty miss. Daniel Farke said he had seen this game as a ‘50-50’ tie given Derby’s performances against top Championship sides at home this season amid United’s mass rotation.

Among those to impress in the second half were Wilfried Gnonto, due to his goal, and fellow scorer James Justin, who Farke seemed to suggest might well be ahead of Jayden Bogle in the right-back pecking order. At the very least he’s challenging him.

Piroe also bounced back from his first half penalty miss decently too, with a lovely dummy for the equaliser before his shot led to Ao Tanaka tucking in the rebound.

Sunday was all about doing the job and the players on the pitch did that. Whether any have given Farke food for thought about his starting XI, that’s not so obvious.

Goalkeeper reality

One of the talking points from Sunday was always going to be about Karl Darlow given Farke’s open criticism of Lucas Perri in the last two games. Though, Derby’s Championship status meant there was only so much that could be deduced from the match.

Darlow did not cover himself in glory for Derby’s opener. Yes, the goal was a first-time snapshot but a goalkeeper of his ilk should have been able to get a stronger hand to it.

Otherwise, his distribution was sound, at one stage dissecting the centre-backs with a pass into midfield. And there was no sense of panic when crosses came in or the ball was passed back. But this was hardly going to be a day to dictate Farke’s mind.

There are several reasons why Perri is still expected to start against Fulham next weekend, not least due to not losing face over summer recruitment efforts. But the noise will only grow should Perri continue to be shaky.

No Harry Gray

Among those not at Pride Park was Harry Gray, who could leave on loan this window if a suitable offer comes in for both player and club. His involvement for the Under-21s against Reading on Saturday already revealed Farke’s squad decision.

Many supporters had wanted, and some expected, the 17-year-old to make his second competitive senior appearance. If not now, then it is hard to see when Gray will get onto the first team pitch this season barring drawing Macclesfield in the next round.

He has made two senior matchday squads this campaign but both circumstances - losing against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and en route to Leeds’ only Premier League away win at Wolves - were not conducive for him coming onto the field.

Today would have been a good shop window for potential loan clubs, amid his good academy form. But maybe it shows the reality of the gap he still has to bridge to get to where many expect him to reach.