Daniel Farke explains changes for QPR and reveals post-win dressing room message - YEP 4/10/23
Daniel Farke has told his Leeds United players he’s proud of them for overcoming post-defeat difficulty and nerves to beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at home.
By Graham Smyth
The Whites hit the front early on through Crysencio
Summerville and were the vastly superior side in the first half without adding
to their tally. It was a more difficult second half for Leeds, although they
again could have scored another goal or two before QPR finally managed to force
Illan Meslier into action. The goalkeeper’s late save from Lyndon Dykes
protected the clean sheet and ensured victory.
The game’s biggest talking point was a stoppage time red
card for QPR keeper Asmir Begovic for a challenge on Patrick Bamford, although
replays suggested there was no contact and both players intimated just that to
Rangers boss Gareth Ainsworth.
Farke, who said he was too far away to be able to judge the
flash point, preferred to talk about his team’s performance which is the kind
they will need to produce on occasion if they want to challenge for promotion.
“I'm really happy and pleased,” he said at full-time.
"I told the lads today I'm really proud because you can
be on a great spell like we were before Southampton but it's always the same,
when there's one disappointing result the next game is unbelievably difficult.
To grind out a result it's never champagne or fireworks, it's always hard work.
I absolutely love when we play opponents off the park but these games, when
it's so tough - we scored a brilliant goal but didn't score the second and let
them live - everything can happen.
"Because you don't score the second you get more and
more nervous. It's football. We've still dominated each and every statistic,
but there's one scruffy situation, one ball goes through and thank God Illan
was in the right position. Pretty pleased that we won and brought this tight lead
over the line. To be there again with a clean sheet and answer a disappointing
loss with a win is what you need if you're to be there to celebrate at the end
of the season.”
Farke made four changes to his side after the 3-1 loss at
Southampton, bringing Jaidon Anthony in for a first start and reintroducing Joe
Rodon, Archie Gray and Luke Ayling. Jamie Shackleton missed out with a shoulder
injury as Liam Cooper, Glen Kamara and Daniel James dropped to the bench. The
hectic nature of this week was at the heart of Farke’s decision making.
"We've got three games in seven days and each game is
different in terms of tactical necessities,” he said.
"We left some players out, Dan James with five assists,
but some injury problems in pre-season and a little one in the season.
Sometimes you can't take risks with players. We always need our whole group. I
trust all my players. When you have such a busy spell, you have to give some
chances to some players not involved before. It's important they use it. We
return with the three points and a clean sheet so everything is good.”
Farke was delighted to be able to count upon Bamford late in
the game, the centre forward giving Leeds momentum with his runs in behind and
physical presence.
"We've missed him a lot,” said the German.
"To bring on a proven goalscorer and to have his
experience to work his ball to the corner flag, his ability to keep the ball,
win headers, was quite crucial.”