Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has left no room for doubt over his decision to leave winger Dan James on the bench for the heavy defeat against Nottingham Forest.
Dan James was one of the most important players in the Leeds United team that secured promotion from the Championship, scoring 12 goals and registering nine assists.
However, the Wales international has endured a frustrating return to the Premier League, starting just three times under Daniel Farke, having been hit by injury.
Farke confirmed James was fully fit for the trip to the City Ground, but he was left on the bench as Leeds suffered a demoralising defeat.
Now, Farke has offered a forthright response when asked why he left James on the bench against Nottingham Forest, claiming the decision was entirely performance-related.
Daniel Farke during Leeds' defeat to Forest.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Daniel Farke explains Dan James decision in Leeds United defeat
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after his side slumped to another away defeat, Farke defended his decision to start Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor on the wings at the City Ground.
According to Farke, James has not taken “the league by storm” this season, and his decision was based on performance, not fitness.
The Leeds boss said: “Of course, he could have started, yes.
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“It’s not just a tactical choice; it’s also performance-related. Anyhow, he was rarely on the pitch in the last four months. He missed more or less the last three months in the Championship because he was injured. He didn’t have the best pre-season because he was injured, and also not the best run of games.
“Once we started the Premier League season, he was also out for a bit. I didn’t see in the last games when he came in that he took the league by storm.
“We have really good other offensive players, so it’s not that easy. Just because he’s fit right now, I would have to leave Noah Okafor out, or a workhorse like Brenden Aaronson out, or a leader like Sean Longstaff out. So it’s always up to the competition anyhow. But, fitness-wise, he’s back.”
Close up of Dan James in action for Leeds United.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Dan James cameo shows Daniel Farke why he should have started
Dan James eventually got on the pitch for the final 15 minutes as Farke threw all of his attacking options on as substitutes in a desperate attempt to salvage a point.
Although James was unable to make a decisive contribution, he came closest for Leeds, sending a curling effort towards goal which was tipped around the post for a corner.
Dan James vs Nottingham Forest: Data from FotMob
Minutes Played: 16
Shots: 2
Shots on Target: 1
Expected Goals on Target: 0.3
Touches: 12
Touches in Opposition Box: 1
The Welshman looked lively in his short cameo, begging the question of why he was not introduced sooner, with Forest taking the lead with 22 minutes left to play.
James is the fastest player in Leeds’ side by some distance. Having set Leeds up to counterattack, leaving him on the bench for 75 minutes was counterproductive in such a crucial game.