Daniel Farke’s penalty reaction and Leeds United post-match gestures in moments missed — Leeds Live 27/8/25
Leeds United fans were less than pleased with what they saw, despite a nice gesture from some players pre-match
Leeds United will be thankful they can make amends for a
woeful showing against Sheffield Wednesday in a few days' time.
Supporters will be less confident about their chances
against Newcastle United given the last two results. Time is ticking and Leeds
are clearly lacking a cutting edge in the final third despite £100million being
spent.
A good following turned up at Hillsborough and Daniel Farke
said he was sorry that they saw their side lose, admitting there is an element
of embarrassment. Some Leeds fans would travel home with confidence perhaps
dented. Here are few moments onlookers may have missed.
Formation frustration
What makes the defeat even worse is how Leeds lined up when
in possession - which was extremely attacking. It was essentially a 3-2-5, with
only the two centre-backs and either Sean Longstaff or Ilia Gruev dropping
back. The other seven players were more or less attacking. Or should have been.
Gruev and Longstaff were too stale in midfield and their
passing forward barely produced fruit. Lukas Nmecha was the only real highlight
with his determination to be progressive while Noah Okafor was not bad.
But none were great, even if there was a bank of five
defenders always staying deep. These players ought to have the quality to
unlock the defence. Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson were underwhelming and it
leaves concerns about United’s strength in depth.
Full-time scenes
Farke did not react much when Longstaff saw his decisive
penalty saved, though was obviously dismayed at losing. Piroe put his hands to
his face and Alex Cairns went over to console Karl Darlow, whose blunder was
compounded by not laying a glove on any of the spot kicks.
As the players trudged off the pitch after clapping the away
support, a Sheffield Wednesday fan beckoned for Wilfried Gnonto’s shirt and he
gifted it to the young spectator.
In the bowels of the ground after full-time, Aaronson was
seen congratulating his American counterpart, goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, after
admittedly putting in a fair few good stops.
Players stop for pictures
Leeds arrived with quite a strong squad, albeit with a
much-changed starting XI. A number of Leeds fans, probably equalling the number
of home supporters at the gate, waited for their heroes by the player’s
entrance.
A fair players few stopped for selfies and autographs
pre-match, all in good spirits despite the drubbing to Arsenal at the weekend.
Noah Okafor was asked by a fan whether he was starting, to which he confirmed
he was.
The winger was one of those to stop for a photo, making one
young lad’s day, month and perhaps year. Such gestures cannot be
under-estimated in the impact they have on the lives of young supporters.
It's also the least fans deserve after what happened during
the evening. After full time, Joe Rodon signing shirts for fans who were
waiting.
