YEP's Graham Smyth has heaped praise on Noah Okafor following his recent upturn in form.
Leeds United need to ‘utilise’ the form of Noah Okafor as the winger enjoys a ‘really good moment’ of form.
That’s according to YEP’s Graham Smyth, who has discussed the Switzerland international’s recent contributions on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road podcast.
Okafor joined the Whites from AC Milan in the summer and started well at Elland Road, netting two goals in his first five Premier League appearances for the club as they adapted to life back in the top flight.
However, a 16-game drought followed, with Okafor losing his place as a nailed-on starter and failing to make a serious impact in matches, despite Leeds enjoying an upturn in form.
But United’s last two matches have seen Okafor return to form. The 25-year-old netted Leeds’ second goal in a 3-1 win over relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Friday, while proving a constant threat with two completed dribbles from three attempts and four crosses into the opposition box. He then followed that up with the equalising goal in a 2-2 comeback draw away at Chelsea in midweek.
Noah Okafor ‘impact’ praised
Okafor can count himself unlucky not to have started at Stamford Bridge after an excellent showing against Forest. However, his impact against Chelsea will surely make it difficult for Daniel Farke to drop him again, with Leeds travelling to Birmingham City in the FA Cup on Sunday, before next week’s trip to Aston Villa.
Nevertheless, Smyth has credited the timing of Farke’s introduction of Okafor against Chelsea, praising the recent improvement in performances from the Swiss forward - who now has four Premier League goals to his name this season.
“Where I think Farke gets credit is in the change coming when it did, because it did have an impact,” Smyth said of Farke bringing on Okafor in the 55th minute.
“I think Okafor is in a really good moment, and I think Leeds need to really utilise that. They really need to try and get this out of him consistently, because he’s got the bit between his teeth.
“He’s showing real aggression to win the ball, not only to run at players, but he’s doing this little flick… he’s done a few times this season, but he’s doing that a little bit more. You can see that his confidence is up, and the fact that he didn’t start was harsh, because his best game so far for Leeds came against Forest. But I can understand why, when Farke is talking about how the wingers are going to have to defend a lot, and they did.
“But when he comes on, he definitely makes an impact, and the change made an impact.”
What next for Leeds United?
Four points from two games has been the perfect recovery for Leeds after a 4-0 thrashing at home to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Up next for Farke’s men is an away trip to Birmingham in the FA Cup, while they return to the Second City a week later to take on Aston Villa. The Whites then have back-to-back home games against Manchester City and Sunderland, before an away clash against a Crystal Palace side who may not yet feel completely safe from relegation.
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