‘Annoyed with himself’: Daniel Farke now shares how 24-year-old has turned his Leeds career around

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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke believes Pascal Struijk has turned his career around by adding consistency to his game.

Farke was speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Stoke City, where he was asked about Struijk’s development into a captain at Leeds.

Struijk had been in the worst form of his Leeds career upon Farke’s arrival at Elland Road back in July, with the 24-year-old having endured a nightmare season last term.

Jesse Marsch opted to use him regularly as a left-back, something which drained him of all his confidence and therefore led to a string of errors towards the back end of the season.

Under Farke, however, Struijk has returned to his natural position of centre-back, playing every minute of every league game so far, while also wearing the armband in each of the last two.

Farke shares how Struijk has developed

Speaking on how Struijk has managed to turn his form around, Farke says he held conversations with the Dutchman about his consistency in the summer, a trait he has managed to add to his game.

He said: “When I followed his recent season he was always there. Have been some minor moments when he was not switched on. Cannot afford not to be switched on. I spoke to him about consistency and 90 + minutes switched on. Annoyed with himself.

“As a centre back you do not gamble. Adapted quite well to my demands. We were there with clean sheets. Skills with the ball, his passing, threat on set-pieces. Very pleased with him. Armband helps to give him responsibility for the whole group.”

Struijk now vital to Leeds

Struijk is now arguably one of Leeds’ most important players under Farke with his composure a key component of the 46-year-old’s style of play.

His ability on the ball has always been one of the strongest parts of his game, but this season, he has seemingly added some more aggression into how he defends.

This time 12 months ago you would have never even considered the possibility of him becoming captain, but it is seemingly a role that is bringing the best out of him.