Leeds United have turned their fortunes around almost overnight with Daniel Farke looking into more direct approach play against three of the Premier League’s heavyweights.
There’s a long way to go in the Premier League with 15 games gone so far. However, Leeds are giving themselves a much better chance of staying in the division after what’s unfolded in the last two-and-a-half games.
From looking like we were on a fast track to a pasting at the Etihad, Leeds have since scored eight against three of the Premier League’s big hitters, collecting four points and climbing to 16th.
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Jamie Carragher heaps big praise on Leeds United’s form turnaround under Daniel Farke
I tuned into Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football last night to see if Wolves fancied mounting any sort of survival fightback against Man United. They ended up getting handed another beating by a Ruben Amorim side that didn’t even have to be good to win the game.
Despite an intriguing game and plenty of compelling on-field stories to digest, Mohamed Salah’s explosive Liverpool comments – triggered by our last-minute equaliser – obviously took the focus and headlines.
Leeds United look transformed in the past two games under Daniel Farke, Jamie Carragher says. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
In the midst of Jamie Carragher’s scathing assessment of Salah, there was some analysis and praise for Leeds being able to heap more misery on the Anfield club.
“We talk about teams getting results and how much it’s down to the manager – I think the upturn in form is a lot down to the manager,” Carragher said. “Second half at Manchester City, he changes the system, goes 3-5-2, brings a centre-forward and a centre-back on and takes off his two wingers. That feels like it was a huge difference second half and they took that confidence on.”
Jamie Carragher breaks down what has changed for Leeds United under Daniel Farke
Looking specifically at what Farke has changed at Leeds, it’s clear that being able to make proactive decisions mid-game has been a huge help.
Prior to Man City, a key criticism levelled at Farke was his inability to make consistently effective changes to alter a game, other than just throwing attackers on and abandoning buildup shape.
Now, Leeds look like they have an extra plan up their sleeve, by going direct and playing to Calvert-Lewin’s strengths.
“As soon as the ball goes to the wing-back, his first look is Calvert-Lewin,” Carragher continued. “Two men up against two centre-backs, making it awkward and it’s more direct. Out of the three who came up from the Championship, Leeds were the team you’d have expected to play a bit more football. That was the style in the Championship but it certainly changed in the second half here.
“When you go to a three at the back, it should improve you at set-pieces. Three big centre-backs and especially when one of the front two is Calvert-Lewin. Then early on in the game against Chelsea, the man who comes on as a substitute at half-time [vs City], [Jaka] Bijol gets a goal from a set-piece and they’re in business straight away. Elland Road is bouncing.”
“Maybe Leeds fans were calling for this a bit more, to be a bit more direct over these last few weeks when you consider how many 6ft players they brought in over the summer. We’re not saying that going to 3-5-2 means all of Leeds’ problems are finished. They’re going to lose games, they’re going to find it difficult, they haven’t got the quality of other teams. But as I said, he makes changes again and we see that impact.”
Jamie Carragher is right: Daniel Farke has flipped the script at Leeds United
I can’t stress how transformative Farke’s change could be for Leeds’ chances this season of staying up. I was in the away end at the Etihad, and the first half could not have been more naive from Farke, playing into City’s press, trying to out-football Pep Guardiola of all people.
As we emerged from the concourse for the second half, the change was so stark and instantly improved us. Farke noted how formations don’t affect principles, but in shifting to a 3-5-2 and having two focal points to aim for up front, Leeds naturally played more direct, and it paid off immediately.
Farke is right that formations don’t immediately change results. But, in playing in a formation more catered to our squad, we can shift our principles to less naive approach play, and more towards the strengths of our most important players.
To me, it’s hardly a shock that the last 2.5 games have seen some of our best players actually show it. Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka, Jaka Bijol, Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha all look so much better off.
Building on this into the more ‘winnable’ games at Brentford and at home to Crystal Palace is a must. The past three games have to mean something for our season turning.
Read more: Leeds United already planning £21million attacking midfield signing.