Daniel Farke on why he has faith in Leeds United as he admits standards dropped last season — Yorkshire Post 20/9/24
Daniel Farke has the statistics to back up his belief that
Leeds United are playing well and working harder than in last season's run-in,
so he says he must hold his nerve whilst others worry about their form.
Leeds have only won consecutive games once since mid-March,
then lost 1-0 to Burnley on Saturday.
So whilst Erol Bulut will be the manager most under pressure
when Cardiff City host the Whites this weekend after just one point and one
goal in this season's Championship, there is scrutiny on Farke too.
"We are all judged by results but I'm not addicted to
results, I'm just addicted to performances," he said.
"In the last four games we have only conceded one goal
and we haven't conceded one when our centre-backs were behind the ball, it was
in the last game after Manor (Solomon) sadly took the wrong decision, slipped
and our defensive players were up for a corner.
"In terms of possession we are the best team in the
league. In terms of passing accuracy we are in position one, shots against
position two, shots for us position three, expected goals against us without
penalties position one, expected goals for us position two. Normally with these
statistics you are more or less top.
"Why are we not there? Because we are effective enough.
"We're there with the highest sprint distance in the
whole league, the third highest for total distance."
Farke has no issue with doubts and accusations of
conservatism, but is adamant he must stick to what brought success at Norwich
City.
"You can never take it personally – no one means it in
a bad way," he said. "It's because everyone cares.
"If I questioned everything after one loss and changed
everything, I would be completely the wrong person for Leeds United.
"I predict it will happen again.
"If then a manager panics, this is not how you can be
successful.
"We tried a more offensive-minded set-up in the
(League) Cup and it didn't work out that great (losing 3-0 to
Middlesbrough)."
Form has dipped since Easter, when Farke admits some were
not showing the attitude he wanted.
"Sadly (late) last season we had many players perhaps thinking about 'What happens if...'" he said. "There were offers for some of our players, who were a bit distracted."