Leeds United. Daniel Farke. Premier League. A centurion season in the EFL Championship last season, Where would Leeds and Farke go from there? After 12 games and coming back off of a home defeat Vs Aston Villa, Leeds fans were sure that Daniel Farke had overstayed his Premier League welcome. Here I highlight some key factors in Leeds United and Daniel Farke's recent turnaround.
DETERMINATION AND CALLS FOR CHANGE:
With Leeds returning to the Premier League it was going to be tough to adjust. Leeds suffered a 5-0 hiding to Arsenal, disappointing defeats to fellow relegation strugglers Burnley and Fulham caused havoc for the club. However, it would only get worse. Three embarrassing losses to Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa and tensions would boil over as calls for Farke to be sacked were everywhere.
But, it would be Manchester City away where things would begin to click. Leeds went in with a distinct lack of confidence following multiple defeats. 2-0 down at half time, Farke's side looked down and out. Leeds would attack the second half with a new lease of life. After some considerable press, Leeds would find a way through as Dominic Calvert-Lewin poked his effort beyond Donnarumma. Leeds would then draw level through Lukas Nmecha who's initial penalty effort was saved, but he then tapped in the rebound giving Leeds hope. Unfortunately, a piece of Phil Foden brilliance would seal the deal at the Etihad, as he found the bottom left corner, defeating Lucas Perri.
A SIGNIFICANT TURN OF EVENTS:
After a 3-2 defeat to Man City, Leeds were under the lights at Elland Road Vs bitter rivals Chelsea. Leeds would welcome Chelsea very harshly with Jaka Bijol firing Leeds ahead after 6 minutes. Just before half time, it would be Ao Tanaka who would strike a thunderbolt and double Leeds's lead. A solid first half performance would be slowed as Pedro Neto latched onto Alejandro Garnacho's cross and volleyed his effort in to reduce the deficit. Leeds would then score again as Noah Okafor pressured Robert Sanchez and poked the ball through his legs leaving a tap in with Calvert-Lewin's name on it. An unreal win for Leeds but this was only start.
TWO RESPECTABLE DRAWS:
Coming off the back of a massive win over Chelsea, Leeds would draw 3-3 with Liverpool in an emphatic affair under the lights at Elland Road. After a fairly positive first half, Leeds would fall into calamity as Hugo Ekitike would punish Leeds twice handing Liverpool a 2-0 lead after 50 minutes. A Calvert-Lewin penalty and a moment of magic of magic from Anton Stach would draw Leeds level. In the 80th minute, Dominik Szoboszlai thought he'd won it for Liverpool after a delightfully worked goal. But, Leeds weren't lying down that easily. After 15 minutes of Leeds pressure, Ao Tanaka's half volley landed in the top left corner handing Leeds a point. Brentford next. A game Leeds felt they could get something. A slow game it had been before a 70th minute goal from Jordan Henderson handed Brentford the lead. That was until an 82nd minute equaliser from Calvert-Lewin handed Leeds another point.
A WIN OVER PALACE!
Leeds United 4-1 Crystal Palace
Leeds Scorers:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 38, 45+3', Ethan Ampadu 60', Anton Stach 90+11'
Palace Scorer: Justin Devenny 90+2' PEN
NOW TIME FOR THE FACTORS:
ATMOSPHERE:
It's fair to say that the Elland Road atmosphere has seriously spurred the side on in these recent games. Viral videos of The Famous South Stand made their way across social media. The Elland Road loyal has made it a fierce place to play at recently. With opposition players bullied off the park and fans scared out of the stadium. It's became a fortress. OUR FORTRESS.
FORMATION CHANGE (3-5-2):
Since a formation change of 3-5-2, Leeds have been so much better as a team. Perri in between the sticks, Bijol, Struijk and Rodon keeping it tight at the back, Gudmundsson and Bogle bombing on, Stach, Ampadu and Tanaka ruling supreme in the centre, Nmecha/Okafor and Calvert-Lewin causing hell on earth for defenders. It just works. Teams are struggling against it. Defences can't handle DCL.
Calvert-Lewin Form:
Can't speak enough on how important of a player DCL is for us. The aerial presence, the goal scorer. 6 goals in 5 games against Liverpool, City and Chelsea. The damage he deals is crucial, defenders can't handle the power he brings. Enough Said.
ABUSE OF SET PIECES:
The set pieces of recent games have certainly been a spectacle. Anton Stach's corners are dangerous and Ampadu's long throws are causing all sorts of chaos. The thing is, we have so many players who can attack corners now. DCL, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk. We pose serious threats off corners and flick ons are a danger. After many seasons we finally have height on set pieces.
