Brighton away was always expected to be a difficult game for Leeds United, but the Whites were easily beaten, and Tony Dorigo reckons Daniel Farke was preparing the hairdryer for one player.
Leeds were easily beaten by Brighton as Georginio Rutter faced his old side for the first time since leaving Elland Road in 2024 for £40m. Rutter proved that Leeds remain in his heart with a Daniel Farke post.
Leeds had chances in the first half, but defensively, they were far from their best. Gabi Gudmundsson was out of position for the first, and Jayden Bogle will not want to watch back Brighton’s third goal yesterday.
It was arguably Leeds’ second-worst performance of the season, marginally worse than the 2-0 loss to Burnley, but certainly behind the 5-0 Arsenal loss. Noah Okafor has come in for criticism since full-time.
Eric Cantona and Tony Dorigo 1992 FA Community Shield Leeds United 4-3 Liverpool
Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images
Tony Dorigo predicted Daniel Farke hairdryer for Noah Okafor
It has already been reported that Farke was not impressed by Okafor in the first half. The Leeds gaffer had even spoken to Gabriel Gudmundsson about it, and Tony Dorigo noticed Farke’s frustration on Saturday.
Dorigo gave a reason for Farke’s anger towards Okafor, saying the Switzerland star hadn’t been making the runs he was in training. He predicted a dressing down for the £18m summer signing at half-time.
Former Leeds defender Dorigo said, while commentating on LUTV’s coverage of Leeds’ defeat to Brighton: “You can see Daniel Farke having a look at Noah Okafor, the movement just wasn’t there.
“In training, we’ve worked on it clearly, and now you’re not making the movement that Jaka Bijol needed. I think that will be a half-time team talk for Noah Okafor,” Dorigo continued, when noticing Farke.
Noah Okafor of Leeds United warms up
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Noah Okafor’s stats weren’t impressive during Brighton loss
Not only did Okafor lose possession of the ball on four occasions, but his passing percentages were miles below the majority of his teammates. Of the starting XI, Okafor’s pass rate was the worst by some way.
Name Passes Pass completion %
Jaka Bijol 81/86 94%
Ethan Ampadu 58/63 92%
Brenden Aaronson 24/26 92%
Joe Rodon 52/57 91%
Ao Tanaka 49/55 89%
Sean Longstaff 25/29 86%
Jayden Bogle 21/25 84%
Gabriel Gudmundsson 35/42 83%
Lucas Perri 26/37 70%
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 5/8 63%
Noah Okafor 8/14 57%
Yes, Okafor is going to lose the ball when trying to create things and that’s why Calvert-Lewin’s pass rate is also low. But there is being low, and misplacing almost half of the passes he attempted on Saturday.
Okafor was not as good as he has been, or can be, on Saturday. When Leeds go to Nottingham Forest next weekend, Leeds and Farke will need a lot more from the former Milan ace, if he holds onto his place.