Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell were arguably Leeds United’s two stand-out performers in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United.
The two were starting together in midfield for just the second time this season, having also done so in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland last time out.
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev had been Daniel Farke’s first choice partnership during the opening seven matches of the campaign, but are both out with long-term knee injuries.
Ampadu is expected to be the first one back out of the two, though that is not likely to be until January and so Tanaka and Rothwell is a duo that will be playing together an awful lot in the coming months.
That will, of course, be a big ask and so Farke again reiterated his desire to sign a free agent post-match, with former France international Josuha Guilavogui in attendance at Elland Road last night.
Leigh Bromby delivers verdict on Tanaka and Rothwell for Leeds
Having arrived in the summer, both were actually signed to compete for that advanced eight role in midfield and provide more goals and creativity to a position that lacked it last season.
However, with both holding midfielders out, Tanaka has been tasked with playing that more deeper role and has taken to it like a duck to water.
Rothwell, meanwhile, was absolutely everywhere all night. Not only did he complete 59 of his 64 attempted passes and all seven of his long balls, but his three interceptions show how good he was off the ball, too.
And although Tanaka was the one handed man of the match on Sky Sports, Leigh Bromby actually believes it was Rothwell who just about had the edge on the night.
He told BBC Radio Leeds: “You know what? I think Rothwell just because of the drive and the little bits he has had going forward. They are two different types of players.
“Tanaka is obviously the tidy one, the one that drops into the defenders. And Rothwell has got to make things happen. Yeah, they have both been very good at what they have done tonight.”
Farke says Rothwell and Tanaka produced ‘best’ performance for Leeds
Though the sample size is small, Farke was firmly of the belief Tanaka and Rothwell played their best game as a midfield partnership against the Blades.
Farke says both have had to adapt their style due to the injuries for both Ampadu and Gruev, but is very pleased with how they have done exactly that.
He told his post-match press conference: “Their best performance in this combination. We need this against a good side. No, forget Rothwell has hardly played 90 minutes for two years. A more attacking minded player.
“Tanaka the same. They have to be more disciplined. Had to adapt the system and be more dominant with the ball an careful with our passes because we don’t have the same protection in front of defence.
“We worked a lot with them individually. Improved from game to game. Ampadu and Gruev will be welcomed back because relying on tonight’s two would be too much for 46 games.”
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
