Championship table-toppers Leeds United have enjoyed their fair share of almost telepathic partnerships over recent years.
Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson formed a rock-solid duo at the heart of Leeds’ backline in those impressive early days under Gary Monk.
As Marcelo Bielsa guided the Yorkshire giants back to the promised land in 2019, Ben White’s elegance proved to be the perfect foil for hard-nosed physicality of Liam Cooper.
And when Joel Piroe fired Leeds past Stoke City on Boxing Day – days after Oxford were trounced 4-0 at Elland Road – the ever-improving relationship between Dan James and Jayden Bogle provided the foundations for many of The Whites’ most threatening attacks.
James helped start the move which set up Bogle’s early second-half strike against Oxford. Five days later, it was Bogle’s lofted pass over the top of the Stoke defence which set Welsh rocket James on one of his trademark explosive runs down the right-hand flank.
His cross, meanwhile, would set up Piroe’s second of the game and lift Leeds United above Sheffield United and to the summit of the Championship table.
Leeds United boss delighted by Dan James and Jayden Bogle partnership
“When [Bogle and James] play together and look comfortable in their game, they are looking pretty sharp,” Farke said during his Friday press conference, while spelling out the need to rotate with Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and Hull to come before January 5th.
“But it won’t be possible during this busy schedule in a 46-game season to play each and every minute with them both together on the pitch. My players have to be flexible, open and also capable of adapting to different situations when a player is not available or in their best shape or needs a break.
“They have done well so far but have to keep going and be ready when different players start. I trust all my players and, in this league, when the games are coming thick and fast you have to be flexible and adapt a bit.
“This is what we are trying to do.”
Farke is keen to point out that Bogle’s impressive form is not merely reliant upon his partnership with James, and vice versa.
Sam Byram has taken Bogle’s place on the right, at times, while Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani have had spells in the spot that James has made his own under Farke.
Daniel Farke knows Championship leaders must rotate
“The relationship [between players] who play close together is important,” the former Norwich City and Borussia Monchengladbach boss adds. “It’s also important that you don’t change too much in the base formation. You have to come into your rhythm from game to game.
“Of course, you have to rotate during this busy period to keep things fresh. But it’s important players create relationships with each other. They can be a threat with their dynamic runs. Each and every game is different and sometimes you need more flexible players.
“It’s also important to have lots of competition.
“Jayden needs to play sometimes with other offensive players, so Willy has played this role and even Largie Ramazani a few times. They play slightly different to DJ and they have to adapt to it, and it is the same for DJ.
“[James] has also played with Sam Byram behind him. He’s obviously a different player to Jayden Bogle.”
Leeds face Derby on Sunday. James’ assist for Piroe in the Potteries, meanwhile, takes his tally to seven goal contributions in his last 11 Championship games.
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