Daniel Farke explains why Leeds United player cannot always be ‘outstanding’

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Leeds United fans think Daniel Farke made a mistake when picking his starting XI on Sunday and while hindsight is a wonderful thing, many did not want to see Ilia Gruev return to the side.

Leeds lost the battle in midfield and it proved contagious in other areas of the pitch. Brenden Aaronson lost all seven of his duels while Leeds fans think Ao Tanaka actually endured his worst outing since joining.

Joe Rothwell had come into the starting XI against West Brom but was taken out of it again, with Farke seeming to prefer a more defensive looking side when away from home. It sees Gruev start on the road.

But Rothwell gets a start at home. With Leeds now in action against Millwall on Wednesday night, many are expecting Rothwell to come back in for Gruev and Farke has been talking about the on-loan star.

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Daniel Farke has a reminder for Leeds fans about Joe Rothwell

Before joining Leeds, Rothwell had endured a difficult 18 months. He joined Bournemouth in the summer of 2023, but struggled to get a game and by January 2024, he was shipped to Southampton on loan.

He was not a regular there, an unused sub in the play-off final against Leeds even if he did score four goals during a half-season spell. Farke reminded Leeds fans he’s hardly played over the last two years.

“We must not forget with Rothwell that for two years he has hardly played a game right now, so he can’t always be outstanding. Especially in a week, we have three games in six days,” Farke said on Monday.

How Leeds compare with Joe Rothwell starting, and not

It has been a debate for much of the season, who should start in midfield. That debate has changed oflate with Ethan Ampadu sidelined, meaning it is who gets to partner Ao Tanaka in the middle of the park.

Ask most Leeds fans and they would tell you that Rothwell being in the Leeds side is better. But actually, the stats show that Leeds have a marginally better record without Rothwell – even after Sunday’s loss.

However, Leeds have been so much better with Rothwell in the side of late – especially, with Rothwell getting more and more influential as the season has gone on. He is sure to start come Wednesday.