Daniel Farke admits Leeds United player failed to take chance against Millwall during FA Cup loss

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Daniel Farke might have placed little importance on progress in The FA Cup on Saturday afternoon but he will have been disappointed with the 2-0 loss to Millwall at Elland Road.

Femi Azeez scored a brace as Millwall secured a second win of the season over Leeds, having beaten The Whites at The Den earlier in the season thanks to Japhet Tanganga’s winner. Leeds made 10 changes.

Sam Chambers got his full debut, Pascal Struijk made a return from injury to start and Ethan Ampadu was the only remaining player from Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Coventry and it showed at Elland Road.

Leeds lacked rhythm and the consistency that the team’s starting XI normally offers. Chambers missed a golden chance and others were guilty too, while Struijk failed to convert a penalty on the hour mark.

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Mateo Joseph under the spotlight as Leeds chances goes amiss

A few days after the winter window came to an end, Joseph was handed a start as he came in for Joel Piroe. It comes after Real Betis tabled a £10m bid for Joseph on deadline day, which Leeds rejected.

But he struggled on Saturday, playing the entire match but failing to have much of an impact. Aidy White thinks Leeds may have sold him if the offer arrived early enough to bring in a replacement for Joseph.

Speaking after the loss, Farke admitted Joseph had not taken his chance against Millwall: “Always to be a difficult game for a striker today. Don’t go too deep with it, important to have 90 mins under his belt.”

Mateo Joseph’s lack of touches speak volumes on Saturday

If there are a couple of factors that can allow sympathy for Joseph, Tanganga and Jake Cooper are among the best central defenders in the Championship. Incredibly physical, superb in the air and experienced.

But Joseph touched the ball 26 times. Only 10 players in total – starters and subs – touched the ball less than the Spaniard and nine of those 10 came off the bench as substitutes. The other, played 69 minutes.

Farke is right, it was always going to be a tough game to get involved in for a striker. Joseph though, will be frustrated that he didn’t do more than he did, with Piroe head and shoulders ahead of him right now.