Ominous Leeds United have unexpected dilemma as Farke gets himself off the hook again — Leeds Live 28/11/24

Here are our five talking points from Leeds United's 3-0 win over Luton Town at Elland Road in the Championship as the hosts dominate from start to finish en route to the top of the table

Sunday’s performances across the wingers had painted Daniel Farke into something of a corner going into last night’s win for Leeds United. Daniel James and Manor Solomon looked untouchable after their goals and assists, while Wilfried Gnonto had bagged from the bench and been Farke’s most-used attacker before the Wales trip.

It felt like the manager would try to recall his 21-year-old where possible, which left Brenden Aaronson standing out as the most likely route for Gnonto. And yet, it was James, he of three-assist (one didn’t count for the own goal) fame, who dropped out of the side. The 27-year-old has not missed a match since returning from injury in the Sheffield United win.

Post-match, Farke confirmed assumptions the rotation was purely a minute-managing exercise, with a third match in six days to come at the weekend. Either way, as with Gnonto on Sunday, it was another decision which paid off for the German, letting him off the hook for the second time in three days.

Neither Gnonto nor Solomon would contribute directly to a goal, but the latter was as close as you get to an assist for Sam Byram and the former was lively in the first half. It was James who would eclipse them both, however. It seemed to be the simplest way to get the jet-heeled winger on the scoresheet every week.

If only every team allowed that much space in behind for a simple long ball, sprint and lob. James will hope to return to the fold for Saturday’s 1.30pm kick-off in Lancashire. Based on Farke’s comments after the last two games, it may be Solomon’s turn for rotation.

The Israeli returned from injury at the same time as James, but played significantly more for his country during the break. A full 90 last night seems to point to a benching at Ewood Park, with James restored and Gnonto shifted left.

Confidence everywhere you look

Winning breeds confidence. The equation is not difficult in football, it’s just finding the wins. Luton Town were among the poorest opponents the Whites have faced this season, yes, but the swagger and conviction of the hosts’ play was hard to ignore on Wednesday night.

The cohesion across the side is really coming on. The structure, which Farke will remind you needs a lot of hard work, is smooth. The players are like interwoven shapes tesselating around each other. Reacting to one team-mate’s decision is becoming second nature.

If Solomon goes wide, Sam Byram will invert and occupy the channel, which pulls Pascal Struijk virtually to left-back, Ao Tanaka into centre-back and Joe Rodon spreads wider to the right. When Gnonto tucks inside, Jayden Bogle swarms into the acreage of the right flank.

It’s all just clicking and the confidence is there in the way everyone wants the ball and backs themselves to do something with it when they get a chance. Solomon was dropping as far back as the defensive line for touches and the will to confuse or disrupt Luton’s shape.

James and Byram’s goals especially underlined where that individual confidence is at too. The latter, admittedly invited by Luton, was freely attacking the right side of the away back three repeatedly, playing like a wide 10 inside Solomon.

His goal was not the only example of his raids into the box, while James’s finish, picked out in only 25 minutes on the pitch, was the mark of a player at the peak of his United powers. The number seven turned 27 this month and he looks like someone approaching the prime years of their career.

A left-back dilemma

Byram has rarely disappointed since returning last year, but in this latest series of starts around the full-backs’ suspension, last night was his finest performance yet. It wasn’t down to the goal either.

The veteran’s all-round play was immensely useful as United set about picking holes in an eight-man deep block. It was a shame to then hear he complained about a familiar discomfort in a hamstring before coming off in the 59th minute.

In his post-match press conference, Farke may have temporarily forgotten Junior Firpo will be available on Saturday, but he did indicate he hoped Byram would be fit to continue in the line-up at Ewood Park. It’s an interesting dilemma if his hamstring is fine this morning.

Firpo is undoubtedly the best left-back in the squad and almost certainly the division, especially in an attacking sense. However, the manager has consistently demonstrated his faith in a meritocracy.

Byram’s played well, even scored, the team is winning and Firpo, frustrating as the process was, has been suspended for poor judgement. Farke has form for leaving suspended players out in the first instance, like Rodon after his Hull City dismissal last season.

The manager was highly critical of the events which led to Firpo’s suspension, but he did acknowledge the Dominican was in the wrong and told him as such in the aftermath. However, Byram’s hamstring tweak may just leave the door ajar for Farke to take the safe route.

As an aside, Max Wober was bright from the bench and will be needed this winter. Regular minutes from the dugout are no bad thing when injuries and suspensions inevitably hit over the coming weeks.

Is Aaronson trying too hard?

On Sunday, Brenden Aaronson covered more distance than any other player in any Championship match this season, according to Farke. That is some accolade even if everyone can see the American’s work rate.

The American’s redemption arc is well known by now. Nobody can doubt he has won over many doubters since returning from Germany and worked to earn that trust from the terraces.

However, there’s just that possibility he is trying too hard at the moment. Aaronson is arguably snatching at chances, making the wrong decision in big penalty-box moments and possibly overthinking it.

Farke memorably talked about Aaronson’s energy at Millwall and encouraged him to make fewer runs, perhaps instead looking to remain central by the striker and feed off him. There have been no goals or assists in the last four and with the wingers all scrapping for pitch time, Aaronson’s place could be under threat.

Wednesday was better than Sunday. Aaronson did make intelligent runs into space, offering team-mates a good option and his first touch was decent enough, but those decisions with the ball at his feet were fractions off where they needed to be. A goal or assist will settle him down hopefully.

Bamford’s never been in this position before

It’s a minor footnote, an observation rather than a criticism, on an otherwise excellent night for Leeds, but Patrick Bamford must be wondering where the next minutes are coming from. The England international has never before been left on the bench as frequently as this in his time at Elland Road.

Generally, since arriving in 2018, the number nine has either started, come off the bench or been injured on the sidelines. Across six years between arriving and the end of last term, Bamford finished a league game on the bench three times.

The 31-year-old’s been left watching from the dugout in seven of the last 11 league games he’s been named in. That vast statistical change is noteworthy in itself, but when you’re talking about the club’s number nine and a one-time England player, it’s even more eye-catching.

Evidently, injuries have been a longstanding problem for Bamford and Farke is trying to manage him through those niggles, but the striker has now only been absent from one league squad since September 21. Other players are in form and giving Farke alternatives from the start and from the bench.

Bamford has to bide his time and hope he can impress with a cameo here or there, but in the minutes he has had, 19 at Norwich City, one vs Sheffield United, five at Bristol City and nine at Millwall, it’s virtually impossible to stake a claim. Training, which none of us can watch, is seemingly where he needs to turn the manager’s head.

It’s a trend to monitor, but, if nothing else, a sign of how strong this squad has become.