Graham Smyth moots 'ideal opportunity' for Daniel Farke to hand out full debut vs Cardiff City — YEP 20/9/24
By Kyle Newbould
Leeds United head to Cardiff off the back of defeat at home
to Burnley.
Daniel Farke could be tempted to change things up for
Saturday’s trip to Cardiff City and the YEP’s chief football writer Graham
Smyth believes Ao Tanaka should be in line for a full debut.
Leeds United lost their first game of the season at home to
Burnley last weekend and so will be desperate to get back to winning ways in
south Wales. They face a Cardiff side propping up the rest of the Championship,
with manager Erol Bulut under serious pressure after no win in five.
Farke detailed four fresh injury concerns on Thursday and so
could be forced into a change or two regardless. But even if everyone comes
through okay, as the Leeds boss is cautiously optimistic will happen, Smyth has
suggested the introduction of a more attacking midfield option in Tanaka.
“Say for instance, Rodon didn't play, it brings Tanaka in
because Ampadu drops back, Gruev is the No.6 and Tanaka is the No.8,” Smyth
told the YEP’s Inside Elland Road podcast. “I almost think this is the time to
bring Tanaka in anyway. I know Farke is very patient and bides his time - we
saw it with Gruev last season - but Cardiff are a team who are struggling.
“They're trying to play out from the back, they're not
parking the bus. They're conceding goals for fun and have scored one goal. You
don't need two No.6’s in this game and if Tanaka gives you a little bit extra
going forward. From watching bits and bobs, he's obviously a pest who can win
the ball out of possession, but it's what he can do with the ball that is
different to Gruev and I wonder if this is an ideal opportunity to stick him
in.”
Gruev has done very little wrong since moving into a more
advanced role and offers real stability alongside Ethan Ampadu, perhaps giving
Farke an alternative option against the best teams in the league. But even away
from home, a meeting with the team rock-bottom of the Championship and with
just one league goal to their name, Leeds have the chance to send a message.
“He takes a pop when he gets a chance and Leeds don’t have
many players who do that, and he does have a decent strike on him and he's been
really unlucky not to add to that goal he scored [vs Norwich],” Smyth added of
Gruev. “He has passed the ball forward quite well at times. In pre-season
against Hannover he burst forward and finished a move really nicely.
“It's not like we’re saying he can’t play No.8, it's just
Tanaka has a more attacking profile, probably a better shot and is maybe a bit
more incisive within 30 yards of goal. It’s probably just the whole impatient
thing, reaching for the shiny new toy. I’d just like to see it.