AliousDaniel Farke, the manager of Leeds United, has long advocated for maintaining a consistent lineup when the team is performing well. However, the recent 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley, Leeds’ first loss of the season, may provide an opportunity for tactical adjustments. While the defeat was not catastrophic, the team’s lackluster second-half performance has undoubtedly given Farke much to contemplate as he prepares for the upcoming match.
As Leeds United prepares for their away fixture against Cardiff City, who currently sit at the bottom of the league table, Farke may be considering one or two changes to his starting eleven. Despite the early stage of the season, securing three points in this match is crucial for Leeds’ campaign. The Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP) has presented three potential changes Farke could implement, as well as three alternatives he might choose to avoid for now.
One of the most intriguing options for change involves Ao Tanaka, the recent £3.5 million acquisition from Fortuna Dusseldorf. Despite having only 10 minutes of playing time across two appearances for Leeds, Tanaka has shown immense promise. In a brief five-minute spell during the match against Hull City, he completed 18 passes, just 13 fewer than the entire opposing team managed in the same period. This impressive statistic hints at Tanaka’s potential impact on the team’s midfield dynamics.
Tanaka was brought into the squad to inject an attacking threat from midfield, an element that Glen Kamara seemed to lack. Given that Cardiff City is likely to employ a defensive strategy, absorbing pressure from Leeds, Tanaka’s skillset appears to be a more suitable fit than Ilia Gruev as a partner for Ethan Ampadu in midfield. Farke has openly expressed his admiration for the 26-year-old Japanese international, suggesting that he may be eager to give Tanaka his first start for the club.
Another potential change involves Wilfried Gnonto, who has proven to be one of Leeds’ most impactful players this season. Gnonto’s standout performance came when he was positioned on the left wing, cutting inside and roaming into central areas during the match against Sheffield Wednesday. This positioning harkens back to his initial role when he first joined Leeds from FC Zurich. While the decision to move Gnonto to the right wing was justified due to Dan James’ injury and Manor Solomon’s ongoing adjustment to his new club, Farke might consider reverting Gnonto to his natural left-wing position.
Gnonto’s exceptional ability in one-on-one situations and his proficiency in tight spaces make him a key asset in breaking down Cardiff’s likely stubborn defense. A performance reminiscent of his showing at Hillsborough could be sufficient to secure a victory for Leeds. This tactical shift leads to the third potential change Farke might consider.
The third change involves Manor Solomon, whose unfortunate slip against Burnley led to criticism from Farke. The manager pointed out that Solomon’s attempt to dribble out of a risky situation was unnecessary and ill-advised. While Solomon has generally impressed since joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, there’s a case to be made for giving Largie Ramazani a chance to start. The 23-year-old Ramazani has shown promise in his brief appearances as a substitute and could provide fresh energy to the team. Moreover, he’s capable of playing comfortably on the right wing, making this a straightforward change that doesn’t compromise the overall quality of the side if Farke decides to explore alternative options.
While these changes are under consideration, there are also several alterations that Farke is unlikely to make. One such decision involves resisting the temptation to replace Mateo Joseph with Patrick Bamford in the starting lineup. Although Joseph missed a crucial early chance against Burnley that could have changed the course of the game, the 20-year-old has generally performed admirably this season. Despite Bamford’s fitness and full week of training, it’s crucial for Farke to maintain faith in the promising Joseph, who has demonstrated his capabilities as a leading striker in recent weeks and will be eager to make amends for his previous mistake.
Another change Farke is likely to avoid is dropping Jayden Bogle from the starting eleven. While Bogle faced criticism for his role in conceding a goal against Burnley, where he failed to prevent Koleosho from breaking through and scoring, it’s worth noting that he was in a challenging position with limited options. Although some of the criticism directed at Bogle has been warranted, much of it has been excessive. While experienced players like Sam Byram or the relatively unknown Isaac Schmidt could potentially step in, Bogle’s attacking prowess could prove decisive against Cardiff. Furthermore, Farke is likely to prioritize maintaining a consistent back four for as long as possible to build defensive cohesion.
Lastly, Farke may resist the urge to start Joel Piroe in the number 10 position. During the defeat to Burnley, fans expressed frustration with Farke’s substitution decision to replace the impressive Brenden Aaronson with Piroe. The Dutch player struggled to make a significant impact, and Leeds’ attacking threat diminished as the game progressed. While it might be tempting to start the 25-year-old Piroe against a Cardiff side likely to employ a deep-lying defensive strategy, Aaronson has demonstrated his quality in navigating tight spaces. This was particularly evident in his assist for Gnonto’s shot in the first half of the Burnley match.
In conclusion, as Leeds United prepares to face Cardiff City, manager Daniel Farke faces several tactical decisions. While changes involving Ao Tanaka, Wilfried Gnonto, and potentially Largie Ramazani are under consideration, Farke is likely to show faith in certain players like Mateo Joseph and Jayden Bogle. The manager’s choices will be crucial in determining Leeds’ approach to breaking down Cardiff’s expected defensive setup and securing a vital away victory.
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