There were certainly changes, but not quite the wholesale differences many expected as Daniel Farke revealed his Leeds United line up for Saturday’s FA Cup meeting with Harrogate Town.
There was certainly no space in the XI, or even the bench for that matter, for Leeds United’s next generation.
Instead, Farke opted for a very senior selection, Joe Rothwell, Manor Solomon and Wilfried Gnonto starting while Largie Ramazani – the Leeds winger was labelled the ‘best player on the pitch’ by Paul Robinson as the Championship leaders edged past fourth-tier Harrogate – headed home the only goal of a largely forgettable game just before the hour.
Farke did take the chance to rest Illan Meslier – or remove the Frenchman from the firing line – with 34-year-old Karl Darlow replacing the under-fire goalkeeper between the sticks.
Given that the visitors mustered only two shots on target, it’s fair to say Darlow was not exactly overworked.
Yet, the way the former Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Hull City glovesman commanded his area did not go unnoticed by his manager. On what was only Darlow’s second appearance of 2024/25 – and his first since Leeds’ lost 3-0 at home to Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup in August – there were certainly few signs of rustiness from the veteran shot-stopper.
Daniel Farke praises Karl Darlow as Leeds United beat Harrogate Town in FA Cup
“It’s always difficult when you don’t play for a while,” Farke says in his post-match press conference. “When he does not catch a cross or the pass is not perfect, everyone gets nervous in stadium. [But Darlow’s display was] normal.
“Two or three situations, he was switched on. He was really professional today.”
Farke opted against including any of Leeds’ Under-23 stand-outs in his matchday squad against Simon Weaver’s fourth-tier Harrogate outfit. Junior Firpo, Joe Rodon, Ao Tanaka and Dan James – four players who tend to start week-in, week-out at Championship level – all made appearances off the bench in what was a reminder of Leeds’ enviable squad depth.
Farke, explaining why he decided against including a number of rising stars, said that he was wary of handing out debuts to young talents before they are ready to earn such an accolade.
Farke explains lack of youngsters in Leeds squad
“I don’t believe too much in giving gifts away to youngsters, [especially when you don’t] see them for the next three years,” Farke explains, arguing that Isaac Schmidt and Joshua Guilavogui were more deserving of their opportunities.
“Or [putting youngsters in a position where they are] fishing for compliments. It’s important for Isaac and Josh to get in the starting line-up.
We have competition back. We saw this game as an important situation You have to respect the quality of the opponents. In the first half we missed too many chances. In the centre, there was no space. Sometimes you have to tire [the opponents out].
“We had ten or fifteen minutes when they tried to come back into the game. But well done for Harrogate. We are pleased we are through to the next round.
“It’s good we brought minutes to some players.”
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