Leeds United have got to respond after last weekend's dismal performance, particularly in one aspect
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
06:00, 08 Nov 2025
Daniel James
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Daniel James(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Leeds United need to at least score against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but probably also need to win. At the very least, they cannot lose.
The upcoming fixtures after the international break are nasty and might not yield many points at all. United have only scored once in the league on the road this season - the 3-1 win at Wolves, which remains the only points they have picked up.
A trend is starting to become a problem and tactical questions are being asked of Daniel Farke. He will likely stick to type this Sunday, where his set-up will either be vindicated or exposed.
Points are always the ultimate aim but as a bare minimum, Leeds cannot afford to go another away game goalless. Confidence is key in this league and that pendulum can swing dramatically even at this stage of the campaign.
Providing chances for strikers
There is clear frustration from supporters over Dominic Calvert-Lewin ’s lack of goals but - especially away from home - he has hardly been given an opportunity to find the net. Even his header against Wolves still only had an xG of 0.14.
At Brighton, he hardly had a sniff and ended the game with an xG of 0.03 - and that came from a chance he worked up himself. The service to the front line has got to be better.
The main striker also needs nearby support. Calvert-Lewin - a doubt for the game with an adductor injury - has had more successful touches than unsuccessful.
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But, while different at home, Leeds have struggled to sustain attacks in away games because of ease of turnovers. Farke’s job is to find a way to fix this in the 4-3-3 system he’s sticking with.
A bulkier midfield?
Ao Tanaka was the best out of a bad trio of performances from the midfield starters against Brighton, yet he wasn’t abounding in successful moves himself. A few were surprised to see him start, not because of anything he did wrong against West Ham, but because of the attributes needed.
Anton Stach is a bulkier presence and perhaps would have shored up the central berth had he played. He was the most lively midfielder when he came on off the bench. At the same time, Tanaka is the most creative midfield asset available.
Does Farke go for muscle and power over nifty feet and creativity? Previous results and performances on the road may play a factor in his decision. It’s a tough call given the previous issue of creativity highlighted versus the fact the midfield was sliced open against Brighton.
Daniel James usage
So far, Daniel James has played just 56 minutes - all from the bench - since returning from injury. It is clear the club are keen to ease him back into things after a disrupted six months or so with setbacks.
However, Leeds need him back starting soon. The imbalance on the wings has become more evident as the games have progressed and there is a real lack of attacking vigour missing from the right.
Asked about James in his press conference, Farke said: “In terms of his fitness, I would say he's able to start again. We have lots of lots of competition, because we also need in the offence players who can deliver end products and can chip in.
“We also make sure that we always find a good balance between creators and also players who are perhaps a bit more straightforward.”
It does seem like an opportune time to start James.
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