Irked Farke answers Leeds United critics with break from tradition few had expected — Leeds Live 15/5/24
Daniel Farke made decisions on Sunday against Norwich City that showed a degree of tactical flexibility which Leeds United critics have not always seen from him this season
Momentarily, Daniel Farke seemed irked at any suggestion his
Leeds United tactics might be predictable. Ahead of Sunday’s first leg, the
manager had been asked how he ensures his team’s approach is not easy for
Norwich City to anticipate.
“We were never predictable during the season,” he said. “We
have always a different option and also played different base formations, but
the principles are, more or less, always the same.”
Sunday’s selection almost seemed to be Farke proving his
point. Archie Gray was definitely not predicted to start as the team’s
attacking midfielder behind Georginio Rutter.
Gray’s recall was not a surprise, but right-back or central
midfield had been the expectation. The teenager has played as the advanced
playmaker with great success in the under-21s, but he hasn’t started in that
role with the first team before.
Stamford Bridge witnessed Gray at his most spellbinding this
season, when he ran the FA Cup tie at Chelsea from a deeper midfield slot. We
know he has the engine, anticipation, hunger, vision, touch, passing and
tackling to cover all of those bases down the spine of the team.
Still, Rutter has been immovable as the team’s attacking
creator since the turn of the year and Farke has not, until recently, ever
needed to consider an alternative. The stream of assists, and some goals, has
always made the Frenchman integral to this Leeds side, but even Farke could no
longer ignore what has gone on since Rutter’s hernia surgery.
Not only has Rutter failed to score or assist since his
international break operation, but Joel Piroe has consistently underwhelmed at
the tip of the attack in Farke’s system. Introducing Gray to shift Rutter and
Piroe showed a degree of flexibility we have not always seen from the German.
If Patrick Bamford has not been available, it’s virtually
always been Piroe, come rain or shine, since the turn of the year. Mateo Joseph
has not had a go in league games, despite his evident purple patch and the
struggles of older team-mates.
Rutter’s attacking production has not made his selection a
debate until recently, but opting for Gray and not Piroe, the usual understudy
at number 10 too, was a clear departure from the norm. It was a nod, perhaps,
to the knockout nature of what Farke is now having to turn his hand to.
