The pressure is hotting up on Daniel Farke at Leeds United after another Premier League defeat on Sunday, with fans growing frustrated at the German’s team selection.
Leeds suffered another defeat on Sunday, despite taking the lead. Lukas Nmecha had given Leeds the lead as he did against Nottingham Forest, but like Forest, Aston Villa came from behind to beat Leeds.
Who was your Leeds United MOTM against Aston Villa?
Farke is under intense pressure for his role as Leeds manager. At full-time, the West Stand screamed ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ at the Leeds manager, who is being criticised for his team selection.
For a ninth Premier League game in a row, Brenden Aaronson started on the right wing despite calls for the American to be dropped. Especially, after Dan James’ cameo at Forest and his goal for Wales.
Daniel Farke leaps to the defence of Leeds’ Brenden Aaronson
Yet, Aaronson started. It saw Leeds fans vent their anger on social media even before the match had begun. Many believed that even the sternest of managers, like Farke, would admit defeat and start James.
Aaronson struggled again and despite promising signs in the first half, he simply gave the ball away far too easily. LeedsUnited.News handed Aaronson a rating of 4/10, joint-worst with goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
In his post-match press conference, Farke launched a passionate defence of the £25m Leeds attacker: “Brenden is a player who polarises. It can be annoying even for myself because he does not play direct.
“But I have to say, when we criticise this man, he works his socks off, he’s relentless. Can criticise his performances, but right now, it’s unfair. He’s covering 13k per game. We’re looking so solid on our right.
“That’s because of him, with respect to [Jayden] Bogle. Last home game, man of the match. Standing ovation. If any other offensive player has this work rate and goals and assists, it wouldn’t be mentioned.
“The criticism he’s got is not fair. Players don’t like it. We are working with human beings. Let’s not treat him like he’s a product. We have to treat him in a fair way. Best offensive player stats in last few games.”
Brenden Aaronson’s stats for Leeds in defeat to Villa
The stats don’t make for good reading, either. Aaronson lost eight of 13 duels, and attempting five dribbles, only one came off for the former Salzburg star. It is simply not good enough for a £25m player.
Brenden Aaronson’s stats for Leeds in defeat to Villa
- 80 mins played, 6.4 FotMob rating (third-worst of Leeds’ starting players)
- XG+XA: 0.34, seven defensive contributions
- 1/3 shots on target, 1/5 successful dribbles
- 38 touches, 17/20 successful passes
- Two tackles, five recoveries
- Five duels won, eight lost
Farke, however, is right about one thing. Aaronson gets more criticism than most, with the attacker’s positives largely going under the radar in terms of distance covered and his ability to be in lots of duels.
It is also a fact that most of the goals conceded have come from Leeds’ left. At Forest, all three came from the left flank, while today, Villa’s equaliser was from Leeds’ left. Aaronson may deserve less criticism.
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