Leeds United fans join tribute, mixed reception for Daniel Farke and off-camera West Brom moments — YEP 30/12/23
Leeds United’s away form continues to be a problem as they head into 2024 and the joy of their recent win over Ipswich Town has been quickly forgotten.
By Graham Smyth
For the first time under Daniel Farke the Whites have lost
consecutive games, going down 2-1 at Preston North End and 1-0 at West Bromwich
Albion. That makes it one win in five games for Leeds and there are now three
sides at least six points ahead of them in the Championship. Here’s the YEP
take on what transpired at The Hawthorns, when Farke went up against ex-Leeds
coach Carlos Corberan.
Good day: Joe Rodon
One of those who stood up and at least held down his job.
The defender tried to bring some progression to the performance from the back,
and he was wholehearted in his defensive effort, despite looking to be
struggling with a knock in the second half.
Bad day: Joel Piroe
This was another one of those games for Piroe, one of those
that passes him by without anything like the impact he's capable of. There were
no real chances for him in and around the area, and nothing seemed to come off
for him at any stage in any area of the pitch. When Farke threw on a host of
forward players later on, Piroe looked a bit lost.
Bad day: Daniel Farke
Consistency has been an issue for Leeds this season and
Farke has struggled to get his men firing on the road, particularly against
teams who park the bus. That has led to a growing suspicion among fans that if
the opposition are defensively organised then they'll be able to stifle a very
good attacking line-up and Leeds will struggle to come up with an answer. With
the Piroe and Rutter dynamic not working at West Brom, Farke did alter it but
once again he was unable to change a game through substitutions or chucking on
forwards. Leeds simply crossed the ball into the area time and time again,
against a big defence who were well able to defend aerial threats.
Off-camera moments
Karl Darlow disappearing back down the tunnel during the
warm-up, leaving Kristoffer Klaesson to face shots from goalkeeping coach Ed
Wootten and Dani van den Heuvel. The starting stopper re-emerged a few minutes
later to resume his preparations. Leeds fans joining the applause as West Brom
paid tribute to supporters and ex-players who passed away in 2023, as an
emotional rendition of The Lord's My Shepherd rang out at The Hawthorns. The
two sets of fans singing in unison of their distaste for the game's live
broadcaster, Sky Sports, during the first half. Djed Spence an animated figure
as he made a point to Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow about the problems of the
opening 45 minutes, coming off at the break. Spence shaping to take a throw to
Rodon, seeing the defender wasn't prepared for it and showing frustration. It
was obvious the centre-half was struggling though, stretching something. Rutter
asking the Leeds fans to get more into it after finally winning a free-kick in
the opposition half. Bamford making two approaches to the away end at full-time
to show his appreciation. Farke directing those who had not yet been to applaud
the visiting supporters. A mixed reaction for Farke from the away end as he
himself approached.
