EFL pundit Adrian Clarke has revealed why he is ‘not a massive’ fan of Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.
Farke has the chance to secure his third Championship promotion on Sunday as Leeds face Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.
During his time at Norwich City, Farke twice lifted the Championship title but was never able to help them secure their Premier League status. The Canaries finished 20th first time around, with Farke then being relieved of his duties early on his second top-flight season.
Farke has had to overcome some significant obstacles to get Leeds into this position having arrived last summer with the club an absolute mess.
49ers Enterprises were still in the process of completing a full takeover of Andrea Radrizzani, while numerous members of last season’s first team squad departed on loan after Leeds’ relegation, of which Farke does not want to welcome back.
A stunning run between the beginning of January and end of March had Leeds on the cusp of a place in the top two, but ultimately they fell short and now have a final shot at promotion at Wembley on Sunday.
Adrian Clarke shares why Leeds have looked ‘clueless’ under Farke at times
It is impossible to deny that Farke has done a good job at Leeds this season given the circumstances, with the German even claiming himself he never thought they would get to 90 points back in September.
However, there have certainly been aspects of his management that have fallen short. Leeds’ repeated struggle to break down deep defences all season was a big one.
Farke has also come under criticism for his use of substitutions, often leaving it too late in matches to change things, or just not having a plan B other than chucking as many attackers onto the field as possible.
Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘What The EFL Podcast‘, pundit Clarke believes Farke does not have much ‘tactical armoury up his sleeve’ and says he has seen Leeds look ‘clueless’ on many occasions this season.
He said: “I am not a massive Daniel Farke fan, I have got to be honest. I don’t think he’s got a lot of tactical armoury up his sleeve. I love his temperament and his calmness is perfect for Leeds.
“I like his plan A because it’s brilliant when they play like they did against Norwich, but when it doesn’t work I have seen them and they’ve looked clueless. I have then looked at him and thought what are you going to do, but there’s nothing coming back.
“Southampton are a side capable of dominating the game in an assertive way like both Crawley and Oxford did to potentially render their strengths a little bit weaker.”
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Clarke also tipping Southampton to beat Leeds
Clarke also shared his prediction ahead of the final on the latest episode of the podcast, as he tipped Southampton to come out on top.
Amid his criticism of Farke, Clarke believes Southampton will win simply because they are a ‘better coached team’ under the management of Russell Martin.
He said: “They will have to be at their best defensively, that’s the one thing I worry about with Southampton. In open play, and I know they have improved recently, across the season they have let in 54 goals. Leeds have let in 29, that’s a massive difference.
“If they don’t defend brilliantly high up the pitch, that Leeds front four could really hurt them. But in a way I kind of favour Saints here, it could easily go to extra-time but part of me thinks Southampton are just a better coached team.
“Leeds are powerful, talented, rapid, all of those things but tactically there is more to Southampton. They can hurt you in different ways.”
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