Dan James exposes genius Daniel Farke tactic that secured dramatic Leeds victory vs Sheffield United — Leeds United News 25/2/25
Dan Murphy
Daniel James has revealed that a genius tactical switch from
Daniel Farke was crucial to Leeds United defeating Sheffield United.
It turns out lightning does strike twice as Leeds United
managed to come back from behind to secure a dramatic late victory over a
promotion rival wearing red and white stripes for the second time in a week on
Monday.
Daniel Farke’s side were left shell-shocked early on by a
rampant Sheffield United in the top-of-the-table clash and went behind when the
clumsy Illan Meslier put the ball into his own net.
Leeds were on the ropes for the opening half hour and only
some last-ditch defending prevented the Blades from running out of sight.
Yet, the Whites slowly managed to get a foothold in the
match as the half grew on and after the break, they were the ones on top.
Junior Firpo was the hero as his towering header levelled
things up and he crossed for Ao Tanaka to score his own header at the death
before Joel Piroe sealed the points with a screamer.
As Dan James reveals, it was no accident how Leeds managed
to turn things around as Farke masterminded the comeback with a tactical switch
to 4-2-2.
Fascinating Daniel Farke tactical switch secured Leeds
comeback
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, James offered a
fascinating insight into how Farke changed things to get Leeds back in control
at Bramall Lane.
He said: “Yeah, of course [we wanted to come here and win].
“We wanted to press from the start and so did they and I
thought they played through the press very well in the first half and that’s
where their goal comes from.
“We changed the press a little bit in the first half. We
went to a 4-4-2. We were trying to press with me on the centre half and the
other playing over and getting the second balls, playing 2 vs 1 from there.
“So we went 4-2-2 and I thought we controlled that little
bit more on the second balls and it was important. We came out second half a
lot better and that’s when we created our chances.
“Credit to them for coming out, they didn’t sit off us at
all. They came after us and it worked, especially first half.
“Obviously, the manager wasn’t on the sideline today that
came from him to go 4-2-2.
“It’s hard on the pitch when you’re 1-0 down and for me, I
want to go and press but it was about sitting off a little bit more, letting
the strikers do the pressing and it worked. It was about first half not
conceding again.
“They had a lot of throw-ins, a lot of chances. There were a
few times it dropped in the box and we cleared it well. It was about going in
at half time just only 1-0.
“We played a little bit better last 15 minutes in the first
half and then coming out second half we were a lot better.”
Leeds United have a huge advantage in Championship title
race
Leeds had two pivotal fixtures and, though they came
perilously close to messing things up, they’ve come through the other side with
six points.
Not losing in South Yorkshire would have been good enough
given the Blades would have gone level on points and top with a victory but to
win themselves is absolutely massive.
Leeds now have a five-point advantage going into the final
12 games of the season and while pressure can lead to slip-ups and it’s far
from over, the fixture list is looking favourable.
While Chris Wilder’s side and Burnley still have to play
each other, nine of Leeds’ final opponents are in the bottom half and only one,
West Brom, are in the top six.