Daniel Farke might have been fearing the worst as Queens Park Rangers winger Koki Saito capped a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Leeds United’s Dan James.
In the dying embers of a dramatic 2-2 draw at Loftus Road, the man who opened the scoring after the maligned Brenden Aaronson gave the ball away in his own penalty area attempted to stop Leeds United’s Welsh roadrunner from turning on the accelerator and leading a turbo-charged attack towards the QPR box.
Saito clearly wanted to prevent the counter-attack, but maybe not quite like this.
A classic ‘forward’s tackle’, indeed. The former Sparta Rotterdam wideman was sent for an early bath – well, given that his red card occurred in stoppage time the rubber duck would not have even made an appearance by the time the rest of the QPR squad arrived back in the dressing room – after Saito caught Dan James on the back of his leg.
Daniel Farke alleys Dan James injury fears after Leeds United’s QPR draw
Leeds are without captain Ethan Ampadu already. Max Wober and Patrick Bamford were absent from Farke’s matchday squad too.
So Farke’s heart would have been in his mouth when Saito’s studs connected near Dan James’ Achilles.
Fortunately, it appears there is no lasting damage.
“He’s got a few scratches on his calf but he’s fine,” a relieved Farke says. “Should be fine for international duty.”
QPR hammered Leeds 4-0 last season and the travelling supporters may have been fearing a repeat as Marti Cifuentes’ fired-up team doubled their lead inside half an hour. After Saito’s stunner, Steve Cook headed home unmarked.
Farke has instilled a great deal of resilience in this Leeds outfit, however.
And a team who came from behind to beat both Sunderland and Sheffield United secured what Farke feels is a ‘good point’ in the circumstances, Jayden Bogle levelling the scores following a Morgan Fox own goal.
“If we could guarantee wins at home and away draws then we’ll be in a pretty good place,” Farke says, Leeds picking up four points from a possible nine as a run of three games in six days leaves his players in need of a break.
“It’s about a recharge.”
Farke relieved to see Leeds bounce back from Queens Park Rangers’ flying start
Ilia Farke was ‘unhappy’ with his decision to leave out Ilia Gruev in hindsight. The Bulgarian’s strength in the tackle certainly could have come in handy.
“As a club, we don’t have the best game here [at Loftus Road],” the manager adds. “I would never sign a draw before the game but of course, during this period when you play third game in a week, to go 2-0 down and come back… It’s a good point.
“QPR deserved to be in the lead. We were poor in the first 35 minutes. We gave too easy situations away. Reacting too late, not switched on to defend. What was good was the reaction of my team today.
“Today, we showed resilience. Second half, we were totally on it. QPR are always a dangerous side at home, with their counter attacks. A good point on the road.”
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