‘Difference between top teams’: Daniel Farke says he is now working to find solution to recent Leeds issue

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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says he is working really hard to find solutions to beating low defensive blocks.

Farke was speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s match against Watford at Elland Road, where he was asked on how Leeds can improve at beating sides happy to sit back.

Leeds have, in particular, found it tough to break teams down at home, with each of the three sides who have made the trip to West Yorkshire so far having been happy to defend deep.

As a result of that, Leeds have only managed to pick up draws in their three home matches, with the most recent against Sheffield Wednesday having been particularly frustrating.

Given the attacking resources at Leeds’ disposal, it is not expected to be an issue that will go anytime soon as they feel it is the best way to pick up points against a superior outfit.

Farke says he is ‘working’ to find solutions to low-block issue

Speaking at his presser today, Farke says Leeds’ ability to break down low blocks could be the difference this season, but expects Watford to be more aggressive in how they play than any other visiting team to Elland Road this season.

“My attitude is it’s the difference between the top teams and the good teams. It’s the teams who can open up compact opponents and find ways to do this. I’m working on this topic. It’s relatively easy and trivial to be compact. To find solutions and gaps and creativity to open them up, this is much more complicated.

“I expect Watford to press higher because it’s in their nature and play aggressive. But I’m sure many teams will park the bus. The best solution is to score the first goal because then they open up. We need to be patient and play not how they want us to with crosses and long balls.

“When we find a way to get the lead earlier it helps, that’s what we showed at Millwall and at times against Ipswich. It helps. It’s our task to find solutions and it’s one of the most difficult tasks in football.”

This was even an issue back in the days of Marcelo Bielsa’s reign, with home matches against the likes of Luton Town, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday springing to mind even in the promotion season.

So far, Farke has been unable to find a solution to this particular issue, and like he said, it really could be the difference this season if they continue to drop points at home.

Leeds are still yet to score the first goal in a home game this season and it does feel like if they are able to change that statistic, their fortunes will change.