Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has argued that setting up his team is not like playing a PlayStation game as he prepares for a crucial game against Chelsea.
Daniel Farke is under significant pressure ahead of Leeds’ Premier League game against Chelsea after suffering four consecutive defeats.
With Leeds rooted firmly in the bottom three, reports have suggested that Farke has two games to save his job at Elland Road ahead of their midweek clash.
Farke switched to a 3-5-2 in the second half against Manchester City, prompting a promising response from his players as they fell agonisingly short of claiming a point on the road.
However, Farke denied that a switch in formation can act as a silver bullet for his struggling side, as they prepare for a difficult game against high-flying Chelsea.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Daniel Farke on whether Leeds United will stick with a 3-5-2 for Chelsea
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the game against Chelsea, Farke discussed whether he would stick with the 3-5-2 that served his side so well against Man City.
According to Farke, a switch in formation is not going to automatically change Leeds’ fortunes on the field, unlike when playing a PlayStation game.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“If you play the best sides with better individual quality, you have to surprise sometimes also by changing it during the game. You have to mirror them sometimes to take their strength away, and for that, it was always an option for us to play in a three-man formation.
“But for me, it’s also not the secret. Oh, Man City, you travel there, you play one against one at the Etihad, you play 3-5-2, and you win it. Otherwise, all the teams would do it. It’s, for me, not the secret with the base formation.
Here what Daniel Farke had to say ahead of clash v Chelsea 😎
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
“It’s more like how you execute it and what you do within the base formation, how you interpret it. This is the key, and not like on the PlayStation, and you put us into a 3-5-2, and that works.
“You have to do it with deep thinking behind, and yes, if you fight against relegation and we are in the position that we are quite often not there, the team with the better individual quality.
“You have to be more flexible and have to mirror the game a bit more and influence the game a bit more.”
Leeds United’s squad fit a 3-5-2 better than a 4-3-3
Although Farke is right to point out that his players have to deliver in whatever system he selects, the make-up of Leeds’ current squad means that they have a better chance of succeeding with three central defenders.
Having invested heavily in defenders such as Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw, Farke has preferred the tried and tested partnership of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk at the back.
James Justin and Daniel Farke v Man City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Farke also shared his frustration at Leeds’ failure to bring in another attacking option, a problem which can be solved by deploying two centre-forwards.
By switching to 3-5-2, Farke is able to fit more players into their natural positions, with Ao Tanaka given more of a licence to attack in midfield. Leeds’ full-backs are also more than capable of providing width in attack.
Although the best teams may still find a way to beat Leeds, the side that ended the game against Man City looked much more resilient and capable of battling their way to Premier League survival.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox