How much did Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke really learn from last week’s FA Cup third round victory over Harrogate Town at Elland Road?
A performance which arguably posed more questions than it provided answers.
An underwhelming, largely forgetting outing in which Leeds were forced to rely on a second-half winner from Largie Ramazani to see off their well-drilled, fourth-tier opponents.
Daniel Farke did praise Joshua Guilavogui and Isaac Schmidt after the defensive duo started in new roles on Saturday evening, though. Two bright spots in a game of relatively few positives.
Veteran former Wolfsburg and Atletico Madrid powerhouse Guilavogui stepped in at centre-half while Schmidt, having been used on the left so far at Leeds United, swapped flanks in the absence of Jayden Bogle.
Manor Solomon also assisted Ramazani’s 59th minute strike, starting through the centre with Brenden Aaronson rested.
Daniel Farke hails Isaac Schmidt but issues Manor Solomon reminder at Leeds United
Speaking as Leeds prepare to welcome Sheffield Wednesday to West Yorkshire on Sunday, however, Farke insists that Aaronson’s spot is not under any immediate pressure from the Tottenham Hotspur loanee.
And while he does feel that summer signing Schmidt has made real progress since the turn of the year, he is wary of taking too much comfort out of a meeting with a side loitering in 21st in the League Two table.
“We have still to be a bit careful. [We must remember] not to over-interpret the game against Harrogate,” Farke warns, pointing out that Solomon’s match-winning assist still came from the Israeli’s favoured left-sided role.
“Manor assisted to the goal when he was playing a bit more wide on his natural left side. Isaac is someone to mention. [He took] a major step forward. But we must not forget it was a spirited Harrogate side, but not an opponent on our level or where we want to be.
“So I don’t want to over-interpret Manor’s [performance]. He’s definitely an option there [to play as a number ten] but there’s also Willy Gnonto, who can also do a job.
“The best choice, with respect to all the other options in this position, is Brenden if he stays fit. I’m pretty happy with him at the moment.”
Farke’s first-choice number ten is still Brenden Aaronson
Leeds are likely to be back at full strength as they host Danny Rohl’s mid-table Sheffield Wednesday outfit.
Daniel Farke confirms that Joel Piroe is available after a brief injury. Meaning the Dutchman could start at number nine with Aaronson – as he is wont to do – ghosting into those delicious spaces in behind the centre-forward.
Aaronson has just two assists this season. But, with seven goals to his name, the previously-maligned USA playmaker has become an invaluable weapon in Farke’s attacking armoury with his late bursts into the penalty area.
“Manor interprets this [centra] role in a one-v-one way [while] Brenden is dangerous scoring but can set up a player,” Farke muses. “We have some options. We can always speak about more or different type of players.
“This squad is definitely on top of the league. We are in a good position in order to be successful.”
While Solomon is keen to pursue a permanent deal, a long-term stay at Elland Road is likely to be decided by A] whether promotion can be secured and B] how much Tottenham plan to demand.
Leeds United are eyeing a potential Solomon replacement in Diego Luna; The Real Salt Lake talisman and the newly-crowned Major League Soccer Young Player of the Year.
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