Daniel Farke has been told that he needs to make one key change to his approach with Leeds United as he looks to kickstart his side’s Premier League survival campaign.
Leeds United have four points from their opening four games and face a crucial game against Wolves in their next Premier League fixture.
Daniel Farke is tasked with getting a tune out of his limited attacking options, after Leeds set an unwanted record by going four games without a goal from open play at the start of the new season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line against Fulham and missed Leeds’ best chance of the game, leading to criticism from pundit Ally McCoist.
Now, as Wolves sweat over the fitness of one of their key players, Farke has warned that he needs to stop tinkering with his attack if he hopes to pull off a win at Molineux.
Daniel Farke reacts on the touchline during Leeds United v Newcastle United - Premier League
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Daniel Farke told to select stable Leeds United team
Appearing on the Hawksbee and Jacobs show on TalkSport on the afternoon of the 15th September, journalist and presenter Danny Kelly warned Farke against making more changes to his front three.
Brenden Aaronson was handed a surprise start against Fulham alongside Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor, before Farke changed his front three in the second half. According to Kelly, Leeds would benefit from a more stable selection approach moving forward.
Kelly said: “Fulham, in the end, got a bit of luck with their own goal, perhaps deprived of it at Chelsea. And Leeds, Farke’s got to decide what his forward line is.
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“They changed all their forwards before the game and then again during the game. And I understand it’s early days and he’s shuffling the pack and all the rest of it, trying to see who is going to thrive in the Premier League.
“I just wonder sometimes whether, again, because they’re just getting these couple of wins to get you going, just 10 -11 players, you’re the starting 11, let’s get after this. There was nothing in the game at all, but an important result for Fulham.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action for Leeds against Fulham.
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Substitutions hurt Leeds against Fulham
Although Leeds were arguably the better side in their agonising defeat against Fulham, settled by Gabriel Gudmundsson’s own goal, the home side grew into the game in the second half and were on top after the break.
The attacking momentum graph from FotMob highlights where the game swung, with Leeds only enjoying two periods of pressure after the 67th minute.
Concerningly for Farke, this swing in Fulham’s favour coincides with his first two substitutions, as Calvert-Lewin and Aaronson were replaced by Lukas Nmecha and Jack Harrison, respectively.
The fans in the ground reacted negatively to the change, chanting for Willy Gnonto, who remained on the bench. As Leeds struggle in front of goal, it is safe to say that Farke is still struggling to find the right balance in his front three.