Leeds United’s win over Millwall did not contain their most professional display but is perhaps a sign that they are promotion bound.
The performance was not top drawer, but they still managed to secure the full three points after succumbing to a bolshy Portsmouth side on Sunday. Manor Solomon’s cross was deflected early on in the game before Ao Tanaka netted with five minutes to go to calm the nerves.
The game was not without incident and there were a few post-match revelations that can be chewed over ahead of Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Rothwell concern
Joe Rothwell had one of his best games in a Leeds shirt yesterday, being the main engine for attack and producing some lovely touches to click the hosts into gear. Daniel Farke revealed in his press conference that Rothwell had felt stiffness in his knee so would be monitored ahead of QPR.
The manager underlined how he was not pitch perfect and said there are still elements of his game to improve, including with goals and assists. He nevertheless waxed lyrical about him, adding: "It's a joy to work with him. Even on the training pitch, I enjoy when he touches the ball so tender it's like pure poetry. His performance today was outstanding.”
His display will grow calls for Farke to sign the loanee permanently in the summer. But it seems he still has some hoops to jump through in the eyes of the manager.
Leeds trio respond
Farke described Joel Piroe as the most disappointed player in the dressing room after his misses against Portsmouth but backed him to respond. It would have been easy for the striker to solely go hunting for the goal with tunnel vision.
An understated part of Piroe’s play has been his link-up efforts and he continued this against Millwall, the striker playing his role in the build up to the first goal with a neat pass to assist-prover Rothwell.
Farke called on Piroe to be more consistent with his link up play across a longer spread of games but was impressed with his work for the night. Meanwhile, Farke said he was delighted that Ao Tanaka scored.
Tanaka had a poor game against Portsmouth, probably his worst for United. But in the post-game chat on Wednesday, Farke called him and Rothwell “two ballers”. He also praised Aaronson, who was very lively, saying he believes he is over his hill of poor form.
Offside call frustration
Farke is a very serene character and does let much get to him, but the Leeds boss was infuriated by the goal that was disallowed for offside in the first half. Aaronson had produced a lovely backwards flick to Joel Piroe, who danced around the defender to power home.
However, as he wheeled off to celebrate the linesman put his flag up, deeming Aaronson had been offside in the build up. Replays showed the call was very tight but that he in fact looked onside.
Farke was incensed by the call, stating it was the same assistant referee that had ruled out Wilfried Gnonto’s goal against Coventry City last month.
“If it happens with the same assistant in back to back games, it is difficult to accept,” an angry Farke said, who revealed the club has recieved an apology for the Gnonto no-goal.
Earlier in the week Farke had underlined he felt the club have had a number of decisions go against them. He added after the Millwall win: “The amount of times it's happened - I'm struggling to accept this.”
Bouncing back
Leeds responded to their three previous league defeats with multiple wins this season and were handed a carrot given the draws recorded by Sheffield United and Burnley on Tuesday evening.
The results of the Blades and the Clarets offered Leeds the chance to go four points clear of the play-offs and two points ahead of second with a win over Millwall. They also carried the feat of not sustaining a three-game winless run in 11 months.
Farke underlined how it was important to respond to Sunday’s defeat with a win and he was pleased that the club continued their feat of winning after every loss. It was by no means a fantastic performance - but maybe one of promotion securers, given they’ve won without playing top tier.